Cold War era M1

[Junkyard]

Hello

This is my newest lid adquired today. Aparently a Cold War era one.

The cover is dated 1974 made by MPLS SOC. F/T BLIND; the liner is a Firestone marked F+4 with elements dated 1973 and 1974. So far, so good...

but the strange element for me is the shell: Lot number ?6F (rest illegible), amagnetic, cork, manganese rim, rear seam and swivel bales with one chin strap in OD3 and the other OD7 with stamped brass buckle.

It's posible that configuration in use in the armed forces or I have now a little Frankstein?

 

PS: Photos of the seller, I can take new ones if necesary.

 

 

[Junkyard]

Hello again. Here are the photos I've taken today.

The seller asured me that this helmet was a genuine Vietnam era one. Well, maybe a very late one, hence, the reason I consider it more of the Cold War era than of Vietnam.

 

The cover and liner are from the years 74 & 73 repectively, so nothing special here.

 

The real reason for buying it was the shell. Apparently a late ww2 one, if I'm not mistaken.

The shell, with finely grounded cork.

Rear seam

Partially illegible serial number

Stress cracks

Neckstraps: OD3 & OD7, brass hardware.

 

I don't collect WW2 and here in Spain is difficult to see a real one in hand, a great number are Euroclones passed for M1s and I have a number of questions…

 

This is a real untouched US WW2 shell?

If so, it's posible that combination (cover+shell+liner) in use during the 70s or is, I'm afraid, a put together?

 

Thanks

[Paddyd00]

Def a late WWII manufactured shell. The mismatched chinstraps I have see before on a couple salty old pots. Always the possibility of someone (collector) sewing on a missing strap but I don’t think that’s the case here. Could be replaced in the helmets service life too. Stitching looks good. Unsure if weave is (don’t have any green straps anymore to compare too) but looks good to me as well (wait for more opinions on that one) and Yes! ... most definitely could have been in use until 1970s for sure. As far as it being a put together. It will always be hard to tell and be sure. Nice set!

Z 

[The Rooster]

Agree with Zach on the shell.

I think the liner is post Vietnam ? Mid 70's ?

Its orange and looks like it has the removable liner suspension ?

[Junkyard]

Paddyd00 & Rooster, thanks for the responses. That's a relief! As I said, it's no easy (and by no means cheap) to find one like that here.

 

1 hour ago, The Rooster said:

Agree with Zach on the shell.

I think the liner is post Vietnam ? Mid 70's ?

Its orange and looks like it has the removable liner suspension ?

Yes, elements from 73 and 74 and removable suspension.

 

Probably the origin of this helmet is one of the garrisons here in Europe, like the others I have.

 

One more question, please: any knows who was the manufacturer of the shell? Shlueter, McCord, other?

[The Rooster]

It looks like a McCord.

The crimps on McCords are oval and the the crimps on Schluters are circles.

Schluters always have a big S on the brim.

The shell could have been used in WW2 and then Korea or Vietnam or any possible combos you can think of.

Its real, all M1's were reused mostly and liners upgraded etc.

That it could have come from Gi's stationed in Germany etc sounds most likely.

Unless a vet hands you the helmet or the numbers inside all match to someone on records,

its all speculation on where these have been and when used etc.

You have a nice example there.

 

[Junkyard]

Many thanks Rooster

Great information. Certainly I have learned something new today.

[twthmoses]

Looks like a lovely McCord 1146F shell. Rear seam and stainless loop rings I’m tempted to say this is a 1246F shell. This is because carbon loops rings are very common in the 1146 range, but not exclusive. Can you post better images of the heat stamp?

[Junkyard]

Hello Twthmoses.

It's very difficult to read because part of the code is lightly engraved, even not engraved at all. This is the best I can.

 

Different angle and lighting, best magnification before it becomes blurry. 6F is engraved two times, maybe an unsuccessful attempt to improve a faulty engraving.

The same with a filter.

 

I can see now a "4" before "6F".

 

PS: The level of knowledge in this forum is amazing. Thanks to all 😃

[twthmoses]

It is indeed difficult to read, but there is still small traces. It is a 1246F shell.

 

 

As you say it has been engraved two times. Double stamps happens, sometimes even two different stamps!, but stamped right on top of each other, not so often.

Lovely shell!

[Junkyard]

Thanks for the help Twthmoses.

I don't know how you could see it, maybe you have some kind of X-Rays eyes (or should I say knowledge). I just see a lot of scratches 😅

[twthmoses]

6 hours ago, Junkyard said:

Thanks for the help Twthmoses.

I don't know how you could see it, maybe you have some kind of X-Rays eyes (or should I say knowledge). I just see a lot of scratches 😅

I have just seen a lot of heat stamps😁heat stamps and shell characteristics is my kicker I guess 😁