Unusual Front seam M1

[Theriddler]

Hi Guys

Bought this a number of years ago it’s a front seam manganese McCord lot number 1039E.

Are front seam manganese helmets common?
 

[GITom1944]

Quote

Are front seam manganese helmets common?

I've had several over the years, but they are a little out of the ordinary. There were probably some overlaps with materials and work methods when production changes occurred.

 

Tom

[TheGoose]

Fairly rare!  This would have happened in late 1944 when the switch to manganese and rear seam rims happened in quick succession.

[elh1311]

I've got one that's an M1C at that.

[Theriddler]

Elh1311

What’s the heat lot number on your helmet?

[elh1311]

15 hours ago, Theriddler said:

Elh1311

What’s the heat lot number on your helmet?

When I get home, I'll grab it and post it. My recollection is either high 900's or low 1000's. 

 

[Burning Hazard]

I’ve owned both manganese front seam and manganese rear seam helmets over the years, they’re not too common but still out there.

 

Pat

[Theriddler]

Thanks guys

elh1311, I’m having doubts now about the M1C chinstraps that originally came with the helmet, they’re too narrow and only have a weave count of ten instead of eleven, could I ask a big favour?
Could you post a picture of your straps including the buckle, hook and press studs and could you measure them for me? It would be greatly appreciated.

I’ve another posting on the forum where I think this helmet was originally a M1C , it came with some para straps that had been hand sown on and I removed then not thinking they were original.

[CavalryCombatant]

I wouldn’t call them rare, but like others have said certainly uncommon.  I’ve got two in my collection.  An M1C, and a schluter.  Both are front seams with manganese rims. 

[elh1311]

On 3/30/2022 at 11:57 AM, Theriddler said:

Thanks guys

elh1311, I’m having doubts now about the M1C chinstraps that originally came with the helmet, they’re too narrow and only have a weave count of ten instead of eleven, could I ask a big favour?
Could you post a picture of your straps including the buckle, hook and press studs and could you measure them for me? It would be greatly appreciated.

I’ve another posting on the forum where I think this helmet was originally a M1C , it came with some para straps that had been hand sown on and I removed then not thinking they were original.

Long side strap is approx. 9.5 inches in length, with a 2.5 inch tab. 

 

Short side is approx. 4.5 inches in length with, with 2.5 inch tab. 

 

Interesting about the straps, the short side strap has the two row reinforced stitching that was done later on. The long side has only the single row of stitching which was used earlier on. 

 

See pics below. Also, I can't get a good pic of the heat stamp as it has been painted over. The only two numbers I can male out are the last two which are a 1 and a 2. 

[elh1311]

Here's an example of rigger sewn chinstraps. This is another lid that I have. 

[VA-75 Puncher]

.....I've only got one front seam manganese...heat stamped 1093F

[Theriddler]

Elh1311

Thanks for the info and the pics, that’s a tremendous help

[elh1311]

Glad that I could be of some help for you. 

[Jim McCauley]

On 3/30/2022 at 11:57 AM, Theriddler said:

Thanks guys

I’m having doubts now about the M1C chinstraps that originally came with the helmet, they’re too narrow and only have a weave count of ten instead of eleven,

Many M1C straps look like 10 count weave but a close look reveals 10 & 1/2, if you get my meaning. Sometimes straps look narrow if the helmet was hung by the straps for an extended period of time.

 

Just my thoughts.

 

Best regards.

 

Jim

[Theriddler]

Thanks Jim

Thats a very useful bit of info

[Ronnie]

It’s my understanding that they did start using a ten row weave later in the war. Can anyone confirm that.

Ronnie