M1 Helmet chinstrap buckle question

[jmd62]

Hey Guys,

 

I've been digging around and can't quite seem to find a chart or anything showing the evolution of the M1 shell chinstrap buckle/hardware. I realize that it wasn't always consistent, but in general could you please tell me what was used on early war down to late war examples?

 

Thanks!

James 

[Grant G.]

Hi James, here's a link to an article on the M1 helmet, about halfway down the page you'll see a collage showing the progression of chinstrap buckles.

https://www.circa1941.com/post/what-to-look-for-when-buying-a-wwii-m1-helmet

[jmd62]

Hey Grant,

 

Very nice progression, thanks! So after the three raised bar examples, is the next (4th from the left) a steel buckle and the 6th as well? When did the black steel buckles begin?

 

Thanks again,

James 

[Grant G.]

McCord implemented steel buckles in the "raised-bar" variety sometime in late 1943. Here you can see it on this example (heat stamp 698D). As for that collage it goes from left to right: cast brass, raised-bar brass, raised-bar steel, flat steel w/ sharp point J-hook, flat brass w/ rounded point J-hook, to flat steel w/ rounded point J-hook and OD#7 webbing.

 

[jmd62]

Excellent, thanks Grant!