Band of Brothers Prop M2 - Update

[ClaptonIsGod]

Have an update to the post I made a little while ago asking for opinions on a supposed Band of Brothers screen-used stunt rubber M2 and liner: it just arrived, and paid dividends.

 

As I suspected, not only is the officer stripe on the back visible, but so too are spades on the sides and a lieutenant’s bar on the front. I took the liner out carefully to see the inside of the shell and whether the liner had any markings, and was stopped cold by writing inside the shell: “LIPTON DOUBLE BRAD.” There was no mention of this in the listing, and considering they said one of the chinstrap snaps didn’t reach the stud when all I had to do was reposition the liner in the shell, I don’t think they ever took the liner out. This also further confirms the authenticity of the helmet for me. Not only does it tie it to a specific character (Lipton) and a specific stuntman (Bradley Farmer is the only Brad stuntman listed on IMDB and bears a passing resemblance to Donnie Wahlberg), but it’s a clear indicator of BoB use which the seller didn’t even use as a selling point.

 

The liner is a 1982 dated Belgian Levior. It’s marked “STUNTS” on red gaffers tape inside, and has clearly been modified to have A-yokes - indeed, all the rivets holding the A-washers are odd and probably done by the wardrobe department.

 

This might not be a real M2, but in terms of coolness and historical worth, I think it’s almost up there. The shell even has a simulated front seam. I’ll let the photos do the rest of the talking, I don’t know why the shell looks so weird in that one photo but it’s just the angle. I’ve outlined the markings in white (except the officer stripe, which is so obvious even Blithe could’ve seen it while he was blinded). I will make no attempts to uncover the markings despite the overcoat and clear presence.

 

I've ordered a reproduction liner strap with black hardware, as that appears to be the only thing this helmet needs and in every photo I could find of Wahlberg with a helmet, the liner strap had a black buckle.

 

 

 

[sgtdorango]

Awesome score!...so if the helmet shell is rubber how are the bales atatched to the shell?....mike

[ClaptonIsGod]

23 minutes ago, sgtdorango said:

Awesome score!...so if the helmet shell is rubber how are the bales atatched to the shell?....mike

Thanks, my money’s either on epoxy or while the rubber was still setting they somehow fused them on. 
 

I have to say, it does raise some questions thinking about the chronology of how this helmet might’ve spent its time on set. Presumably, if it was originally painted as an officer’s M2, that would’ve been for the Normandy episodes. Lipton would’ve been an NCO still at that point, and there’s no evidence of a horizontal bar on the back that I can see. So, then perhaps this helmet would’ve been used by his stunt double later in the series after he got his field commission, which is certainly possible because you do see main characters with M2s later on (I think you can even spot some during Bastogne). But then, you’d wonder how it got painted and presumably used as a general background helmet after the Lipton use - lots of questions, not a lot of answers.

 

Or, maybe it was a different officer’s stunt double helmet in Normandy, and then painted the flat green and used by Lipton’s stunt double without any markings. Going to try to get in touch with the stunt double somehow and ask him if he remembers anything about it or has photos, will post if that gets me anywhere.

[Paddyd00]

No no. Don't add a chinstrap. Leave it untouched! LOL

 

Just joking of course. Very nice read and congrats on the acquisition. Defintely a collectible of another variety. The one being “history on film”. And no doubt BOB will go down as of of the most complete films/ mini series displaying some unparalleled realism in WWII film as opposed to some of its counterparts. Very cool mate. Glad you have this and are super happy with it. I enjoyed reading these thread And seeing the props. 
Z

[ClaptonIsGod]

Just realized autocorrect had its way with the first instance of Wahlberg (Wahlburg) in the second paragraph of my OP, mods please feel free to fix the u to an e.

[stratasfan]

49 minutes ago, ClaptonIsGod said:

Just realized autocorrect had its way with the first instance of Wahlberg (Wahlburg) in the second paragraph of my OP, mods please feel free to fix the u to an e.

 

Fixed!

[Radio Operator]

It's definitely just as great as the real deal to me especially with the connection to one of the main actors and his stunt double. Happy to see this turn out better than expected. The original thread was an interesting read, as movie props especially ones related to well known productions are always cool to see "in the wild". 

[Mr.Jerry]

Very cool-

always nice to get those little 'surprises'-   when I got "Buck Compton's" battle damaged m43 jacket from the 'Carentan' episode- inside the pocket was the (fake) blood stained invasion armband that he put in there - didn't know about that!

[ClaptonIsGod]

11 minutes ago, Mr.Jerry said:

Very cool-

always nice to get those little 'surprises'-   when I got "Buck Compton's" battle damaged m43 jacket from the 'Carentan' episode- inside the pocket was the (fake) blood stained invasion armband that he put in there - didn't know about that!

 

Nice. Hate to be that guy, but let me know if you ever want to part with it - bet it'd display well with the M2. Always been a fan of Neal McDonough, especially when you pair BoB with his roles in Star Trek: First Contact and The Guardian.

[Mr.Jerry]

I was gonna say the same thing on the helmet!

 

[General Apathy]

On 5/19/2021 at 9:07 PM, ClaptonIsGod said:

 

Nice. Hate to be that guy, but let me know if you ever want to part with it - bet it'd display well with the M2. Always been a fan of Neal McDonough, especially when you pair BoB with his roles in Star Trek: First Contact and The Guardian.

.

Hi ClaptonIsGod,

 

I worked on and supplied items for both Saving Private Ryan & Band of Brothers, back in 2018 I auctioned off keepsakes from both films.

 

Here's the suit worn by Neal McDonough, note that the jacket had shoulder pads fitted in the shoulders. Along with the suit were two studio crib-sheets left in the pockets of a conversation between Compton and Winters.

 

The last shot shows the webbing used on helmets for both films and a plastic extra's helmet from Saving Private Ryan. 

 

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regards lewis.

 

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[ClaptonIsGod]

Lewis, very cool, thanks for sharing. Would you concur with the names and details on my helmet CoA as being the entity you worked with? Funny to have two of Neal/Buck's jackets wind up in this thread.