Thoughts on purported 517th helmet for sale

[elh1311]

Helmet offered is a FS/FB with a Westinghouse paratrooper liner. According to the seller, it's a bring back from the ETO by a 517th PIR veteran. Says he can provide provenance upon request. 

 

I am not the seller, do not know the seller and am not a bidder. 

[Jean-Loup]

This type of helmet didnt exist at the time the 517th was in Italy.

[Blacksmith]

Can provide provenance?  Then request it.  I guess I’m not clear on what you’re looking for.

 

Are you looking for opinions on a helmet you’re not interested in buying?

[elh1311]

35 minutes ago, Blacksmith said:

Can provide provenance?  Then request it.  I guess I’m not clear on what you’re looking for.

 

Are you looking for opinions on a helmet you’re not interested in buying?

Guy I know is interested yet he's new and isn't really as spun up on the resources. I said I'd ask. The question is: does this look like a legit 517th helmet? 

 

I'm aware that the 517th did paint their helmets at one time and had a chinstrap unique to the regiment. That's the e tent of my knowledge with 517th helmets. 

 

Short answer: yes looking for opinions. 

[elh1311]

3 hours ago, Jean-Loup said:

This type of helmet didnt exist at the time the 517th was in Italy.

I would assume that when they were on Italy, they would have been using an M2/Inland set up. 

[Burning Hazard]

Buy the helmet and not the story is how we say here 🙂

 

This helmet looks to have all legit WWII production parts; even a nice hexagon hole shrimp net. The WWII production Westinghouse jump liner (with cast buckles) is in very good condition; probably didn't see much use. Also, I believe the 4 hole chin-up first appeared around Operation Varsity as per photographic evidence.

 

Hoping that seller provides some provenance.

 

Pat

[manayunkman]

How much is the helmet and is it named?

 

 

[elh1311]

38 minutes ago, manayunkman said:

How much is the helmet and is it named?

 

 

It's going for $2,250. Well that's the starting bid (not eBay). Not sure about being named but I'm going to ask here shortly. 

[manayunkman]

What does the provenance consist of?

 

Without a direct connection to the veteran it’s just the sum of parts. 
 

When did the Westinghouse cast buckle and the small hole net first appear in combat?

 

The steel pot is not airborne and I don’t see any tape residue that would suggest that the liner and pot were taped together.

[elh1311]

44 minutes ago, manayunkman said:

What does the provenance consist of?

 

Without a direct connection to the veteran it’s just the sum of parts. 
 

When did the Westinghouse cast buckle and the small hole net first appear in combat?

 

The steel pot is not airborne and I don’t see any tape residue that would suggest that the liner and pot were taped together.

Don't know yet about provenance. 

 

Agreed!

 

They became available, if I remember correctly, in time for the Market Garden jump, so September 1944? 

 

Agreed. Plenty of non-airborne lids used by airborne units but tape was certainly a thing. Heck, I have an M1-C that has tape residue on it!

 

When I get the info, I'll post it.