Firestone M1 Liner without nape strap attachment

[equitis]

I have a Firestone liner of the type produced from 1964 onwards which is unusual in that it has no buckles to attach the nape strap, not even the necessary holes to fit them.

 

It also appears to have been painted with a bright red band about 1.25 inch wide directly onto the bare liner surface, which some time later was over painted with standard green paint (now chipping off).

 

Is this just a production error, or was it produced to meet a specific requirement, and what does the red band indicate?

 

The suspension is fixed, but this appears to be a replacement as the current rivet heads are smaller than the impression made by the original rivets.

 

The sweat band is a European copy.

 

Thanks in advance for any feedback.

 

Iain