med-dept Posted November 14, 2018 Share #1 Posted November 14, 2018 Hi guys, I have the opportunity to purchase this 326th Airborne Medical Company marked M1 Helmet. The shell itself is a fixed bail McCord (heat stamp # 292A), with original straps with raised bar brass buckle. There are several stress fractures, but the original finish is present in places (around 60%). The shell has been rubbed with oil (WD-40) by the current owner. I would like opinions on the markings themselves. Please let me know what you think: Thanks, Ben. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
med-dept Posted November 14, 2018 Author Share #2 Posted November 14, 2018 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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ken88 Posted November 15, 2018 Share #9 Posted November 15, 2018 Ben, If I were you I'd look for a USB microscope on eBay. You can find them starting at around 10GBP in China (not the best but it does the job). If the markings are indeed authentic you should see microscopic cracks in the paint. Here's an image I've captured with my Chinese 10 buck USB microscope last week... This is exactly what you'll want to see looking at the paint on there (fakers can't replicate this kind of aging). Hope it helps Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VenitHora Posted November 15, 2018 Share #10 Posted November 15, 2018 I would save my money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phineaus Posted November 15, 2018 Share #11 Posted November 15, 2018 Ben, a real 326th medical helmet is very rare and I assume examples to be fake unless there is provenance. Ive been burned myself on a fake 326th in the past and have only seen a single relic example in the past that I know to be real. Im sure they exist but are tied up in collections and unlikely to be sold. Im not a fan of the markings on this one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Kibler Posted November 16, 2018 Share #12 Posted November 16, 2018 Am I missing something? What would make this even an AB helmet? The "cross" is questionable - but stands a chance. Forgive my question - but what am I missing? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phineaus Posted November 16, 2018 Share #13 Posted November 16, 2018 Youre correct Tom. A single white cross on the side was associated with the 326th Medical Battalion, but not exclusive. Markings like this can also be seen on battalion surgeons helmets from WWII as well. So may or may not be 326th but lots of period pics with this marking on their helmets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ccmax Posted November 20, 2018 Share #14 Posted November 20, 2018 Relic shell with recently applied cross and then aged again IMO. White paint is unlike WWII era markings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ccmax Posted November 20, 2018 Share #15 Posted November 20, 2018 web strap too clean for the condition of shell. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burning Hazard Posted November 20, 2018 Share #16 Posted November 20, 2018 Here's my 100% original, near relic MP helmet, this is what the white paint should look like under a loupe. Pat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burning Hazard Posted November 20, 2018 Share #17 Posted November 20, 2018 Close up Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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