M1Garandy Posted November 25, 2020 Share #1 Posted November 25, 2020 I don't know anything about USGI steel pots, but a buddy is asking for identification and information about one he's got. The liner looks to have a Firestone logo in it, but that's about all I know. What can you tell us about the helmet in these pics? Helmet Pics Thanks, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattS Posted November 25, 2020 Share #2 Posted November 25, 2020 Both shells look like rear seam swivel bales (RS/SB), late WW2 production. Heat lot stamp numbers won't tell you much, they are both rear seam and therefore late war (1944-45). Any original shell with sewn on khaki straps is WW2, swivel bales being later than fixed bales. Next came sewn on OD green straps, then green painted buckled-on straps, then black buckled-on straps in Vietnam, and finally angled clip-on straps at the end. I can't comment on the model or originality of the USMC camo cover, but I think the slits make it a later one. Does it have USMC insignia on the front? The one liner has a glossy 5th Army parade finish but is a WW2 Firestone. The other liner might be late WW2 or Korea, can't tell the actual color of the webbing on my screen. Is there a grommet hole in the front? Here's my handy chart for dating liners. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M1Garandy Posted November 25, 2020 Author Share #3 Posted November 25, 2020 Thanks, I fired off your questions to the owner and will update when I have answers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M1Garandy Posted November 25, 2020 Author Share #4 Posted November 25, 2020 Pics are updated. Helmet cover is marked with maker markings and an EGA. One helmet liner looks to have a grommet the other does not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manayunkman Posted November 25, 2020 Share #5 Posted November 25, 2020 This might help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manayunkman Posted November 25, 2020 Share #6 Posted November 25, 2020 The USMC camo cover is dated 1953. So if the cover is original to that helmet it was used after Korea. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattS Posted November 25, 2020 Share #7 Posted November 25, 2020 The liner without the grommet in the front is a P55 (1955-1963) model. That would jive with the USMC cover being used in the 1950s. Shell straps weren't updated but that's not uncommon, i.e. "If they ain't broke, don't fix them". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cap Camouflage Pattern I Posted November 26, 2020 Share #8 Posted November 26, 2020 10 hours ago, MattS said: Both shells look like rear seam swivel bales (RS/SB), late WW2 production. Heat lot stamp numbers won't tell you much, they are both rear seam and therefore late war (1944-45). Any original shell with sewn on khaki straps is WW2, swivel bales being later than fixed bales. Next came sewn on OD green straps, then green painted buckled-on straps, then black buckled-on straps in Vietnam, and finally angled clip-on straps at the end. I can't comment on the model or originality of the USMC camo cover, but I think the slits make it a later one. Does it have USMC insignia on the front? The one liner has a glossy 5th Army parade finish but is a WW2 Firestone. The other liner might be late WW2 or Korea, can't tell the actual color of the webbing on my screen. Is there a grommet hole in the front? Here's my handy chart for dating liners. Great straight-forward flowchart, I'd like to make one amendment, the removable suspension was introduced in 1972, and there was a single odd 1974 contract without removable suspension Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattS Posted November 27, 2020 Share #9 Posted November 27, 2020 On 11/25/2020 at 9:29 PM, Cap Camouflage Pattern I said: Great straight-forward flowchart, I'd like to make one amendment, the removable suspension was introduced in 1972, and there was a single odd 1974 contract without removable suspension That's true as M1C liners never had the removable suspension. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M1Garandy Posted November 28, 2020 Author Share #10 Posted November 28, 2020 Thanks to everyone for the help. Before he takes these to the next gunshow with a $10 price tag on them, any thoughts on what they might be worth? Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattS Posted November 28, 2020 Share #11 Posted November 28, 2020 I’d price the plain one and WW2 liner at $150 and the USMC covered one with P55 liner at $200 and go from there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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