My 'Field Modified' M1s & Chinstraps, show and tell

[TsrorsT]

Hello everyone!

 

Since I started collecting roughly a year ago I've only come to own a few examples of a 'field repaired' chinstraps, and to a degree bales. I'd like to share my sets that show off some sort of field modifications, and would love to see what other pieces are floating around in our pond. Be it hand stitched/riveted straps, welded bales or rims. All that jazz!

 

I'll start things off with my pieces:

 

First up is my sky blue navy lid, hand made chinstraps out of tape, a rivet and washer, and a leather cup attached to a bent wire for the bales. Being my one and only fully named lid, this one has a special place in my collection. 

 

 

Second is a recent acquisition from Klima, hand stitched straps. They got a look.

 

 

Third is a hand sewn adjustment for the buckle end on a FB Schlueter of mine. Suppose the guy was too good for the metal adjuster 😅

 

 

Looking forward to seeing what you guys have found!

[TheGoose]

Here's a set I have with a nice handmade net and what appears to be copper or brass wire pushed through the strap to reinforce the stitching.

[earlymb]

Nice collection! This pic might interest you:

 

[Nickman983]

Awesome topic, thanks for sharing yours!

 

Here are my two, not 100% sure when either one was done

 

 

First one is an early FS/FB. The stitching on the hook side was either purposefully undone or broke and was tied off in a knot. This could have been to allow the helmet to buckle in the rear as the hook side would have been too short otherwise. I added the net for display on this one and adjusted the buckle side for the picture.

 

 

This one is a FS/SB with an overpainted NCO bar. This one has some field repaired chinstraps. Again, net on this helmet was added for display.

[Nickman983]

3 hours ago, TsrorsT said:

Third is a hand sewn adjustment for the buckle end on a FB Schlueter of mine. Suppose the guy was too good for the metal adjuster 😅

 

 

 

I'm wondering if this was done because the strap was drawn out too far. If you adjust these chinstraps out all the way it can be hard to readjust them shorter. stitching up the slack might have been the easier/quicker way to get the chinstrap to function as a chinstrap again.

[TsrorsT]

1 hour ago, Nickman983 said:

 

I'm wondering if this was done because the strap was drawn out too far. If you adjust these chinstraps out all the way it can be hard to readjust them shorter. stitching up the slack might have been the easier/quicker way to get the chinstrap to function as a chinstrap again.

Great point

 

I for one haven't been able to adjust any of my straps. That little adjuster sometimes has a vice grip to the fabric, and I can envision a GI having had enough of the thing 😆