Some Recent Pickups

[Nickman983]

It's been a while since I added something to the collection but I ended up picking two items from the late 50s to early 60s within a week of each other and both arrived today. 

 

Up first is a 2nd LT helmet. The helmet itself is a FS SB with a manganese steel rim. The OD around the 2nd LT bar was scraped away and then filled in with gold flake paint. It came with an unpainted P55 liner. I can't be certain that they are original to each other but the liner has a '58 dated sweatband and nape strap, which I think is pretty accurate to the  repaint so it's possible they are.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Up next is a 5th ID 1st LT liner. When I bought the liner I thought the 5th ID insignias and LT bar were decals but to my surprise they're actually painted on. This one has a 62 dated nape strap and 63 dated sweatband.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is actually my 3rd late 50s/60s 5th ID liner. The other two have no rank but have matching decals (though different applications) and matching NCO bars

 

[huntssurplus]

Nice finds! The 50's are an under appreciated time for M1 Helmets! They painted all sorts of cool insignia on in that period! Thanks for sharing!

[Paddyd00]

Sweet one Nicks ... Nice grouping.  Going to get a Rep as a 5th ID Hoarder! Thanks for sharing these

Z

 

Love the 3D LT bar too.  The Regimental "Artist" did that one

[644td]

I agree you picked up some nice pieces and I also agree that post Korean/Cold war era headgear is under appreciated. 

[Nickman983]

It really is a shame how overlooked pieces from this period are. The upside though is that, for now at least, you can get some killer helmets without having to break the bank. While my main interest is WWII, a few of my favorite helmets in the collection are from the 50s/60s.

 

5 hours ago, Paddyd00 said:

Sweet one Nicks ... Nice grouping.  Going to get a Rep as a 5th ID Hoarder! Thanks for sharing these

 

I wouldn't mind that! I picked the first one up since my grandfather served with the 5th in the mid 50s. The second one was nearly identical to the first (both have the same decals albeit in different positions and matching NCO bars) so I had to grab it when it showed up. When the latest popped up I figured why stop at two. 

 

I'd eventually like to get a WWII 5th ID lid but those don't come up for sale very often.

[Radio Operator]

Nice pickups! The painted insignia is cool to see especially on a 50's/60's liner and shell, since that era is usually characterized by decals. I agree that the cold war era M1s aren't really appreciated which is a shame, but that leads to some good deals for the people that do appreciate them. 

[Nickman983]

48 minutes ago, Radio Operator said:

Nice pickups! The painted insignia is cool to see especially on a 50's/60's liner and shell, since that era is usually characterized by decals. I agree that the cold war era M1s aren't really appreciated which is a shame, but that leads to some good deals for the people that do appreciate them. 

 

I was definitely surprised to see the 5th ID liner was paint instead of decals, especially since the LT bar is similar in style to some decals I've seen.

 

To your point on deals, I paid under less for both of these than I've seen some plain jane WWII M1 helmet sets go for. I'm not sure if that's more indicative of what the WWII helmet market is like or how overlooked post war stuff can be.