USMC_ROB Posted January 13 Share #1 Posted January 13 Hello folks! I picked up this M1 helmet today, Front seem, swivel bail, I believe it is a McCord. I have no idea what the marking is on the front, if it is U.S. I'm stumped. If it is a foreign marking, then a story from the seller might be true. Waiting on some one here to help. Link to post Share on other sites
doyler Posted January 13 Share #2 Posted January 13 Italian infantry post WW2..... Link to post Share on other sites
USMC_ROB Posted January 13 Author Share #3 Posted January 13 Thank You doyler! Any tips on safely preserving this helmet? As can be seen, it is fairly rusty. Link to post Share on other sites
Blacksmith Posted January 13 Share #4 Posted January 13 1 minute ago, USMC_ROB said: Thank You doyler! Any tips on safely preserving this helmet? As can be seen, it is fairly rusty. I am not Doyler, but the tip is to do nothing. Keep it in a low-humidity environment (40% or less), and it will be fine. No oil, no wax, no nothing. Guys get the urge to do stuff to helmets like this, and end up destroying what value is left. Link to post Share on other sites
USMC_ROB Posted January 14 Author Share #5 Posted January 14 Thank you Blacksmith. I’ll leave it be then. Link to post Share on other sites
ArchangelDM Posted January 14 Share #6 Posted January 14 Doyler is correct, it’s the Italian Flaming bomb. Link to post Share on other sites
ArchangelDM Posted January 14 Share #7 Posted January 14 Your helmet has 2 rifles with the bomb behind 29BBCFCC-6319-49E7-8D8A-F3EE3C36B654.webp Link to post Share on other sites
doyler Posted January 14 Share #8 Posted January 14 19 hours ago, Blacksmith said: I am not Doyler, but the tip is to do nothing. Keep it in a low-humidity environment (40% or less), and it will be fine. No oil, no wax, no nothing. Guys get the urge to do stuff to helmets like this, and end up destroying what value is left. Agree..less is best. It survived this long with no special care and now it will be better taken care of. Link to post Share on other sites
USMC_ROB Posted January 14 Author Share #9 Posted January 14 2 hours ago, ArchangelDM said: Doyler is correct, it’s the Italian Flaming bomb. What time frame would Italy have used this in? I'm guessing 1950's? Link to post Share on other sites
Paddyd00 Posted January 15 Share #12 Posted January 15 Strange how its so rusted out but the insignia is still in decent shape. On Doyler's example the paint is intact on the shell yet his insignia is more faded then the rusted out Original Post. Any ideas about this? Just an observation. Z Link to post Share on other sites
USMC_ROB Posted January 15 Author Share #13 Posted January 15 The insignia on mine is in a swath of green paint that has not rusted as much as other parts of the helmet. That is a nice helmet that doyler has. I have to look for a liner. Link to post Share on other sites
Burning Hazard Posted January 15 Share #14 Posted January 15 I used to own one as well, still kicking myself for letting it go haha. I'm yet to find a period photo of one in wear, I saw footage of US troops occupying Italy as late as 1949 so it is possible that for a brief time the M1 was used by Italians before they reverted back to the M33. Another example here: Link to post Share on other sites
huntssurplus Posted January 15 Share #15 Posted January 15 is it possible these were used by italian military during WW2? Like by the half of italy that was under allied control. I know a lot of french divisions were armed in US gear in the latter half of WW2, but do not know if any similar italian formations existed. Hunt Link to post Share on other sites
ArchangelDM Posted January 15 Share #16 Posted January 15 18 hours ago, USMC_ROB said: What time frame would Italy have used this in? I'm guessing 1950's? Their military police force still use the flaming bomb today on there uniforms - nice looking helmet congrats Link to post Share on other sites
USMC_ROB Posted January 15 Author Share #17 Posted January 15 57 minutes ago, huntssurplus said: is it possible these were used by italian military during WW2? Like by the half of italy that was under allied control. I know a lot of french divisions were armed in US gear in the latter half of WW2, but do not know if any similar italian formations existed. Hunt I was wondering this myself, it would be really cool if it is so. Link to post Share on other sites
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