What Era is this M1 Helmet

[D-Day Collector]

It looks like the right lot number but I don't know what the final character means. Is it manufacturers steel or something else. Any info appreciated.

[502PIR]

Looks lile 932 i

so built in June 1944. So not used for the d day.

[D-Day Collector]

Thanks, I want to get into reanacting and was making sure that it was a real front seam M1 and not a rear seam made to look like one. Is the I a manufacturers Mark and if so which one?

[aef1917]

This should be required reading for anyone interested in WWII M1 helmets:

 

M-1 Helmet Lot Numbers

[JohnK83882]

Nice basic chart. 

 

Batch number    Production date
0-100        01/1941 – 03/1942
100-200    04/1942 – 06/1942
200-300    07/1942 – 09/1942
300-400    10/1942 – 12/1942
400-500    01/1943 – 04/1943
500-600    05/1943 – 08/1943
600-700    09/1943 – 10/1943
700-800    11/1943 – 02/1944
800-900    03/1944 – 05/1944
900-1000    06/1944 – 08/1944
1000-1100    09/1944 – 11/1944
1100-1200    12/1944 – 02/1945
1200-1300    03/1945 – 06/1945

 

https://second-worldwar.com/m1-helmet-shell-dating-heat-stamp/

[aef1917]

1 minute ago, JohnK83882 said:

Nice basic chart. 

 

Batch number    Production date
0-100        01/1941 – 03/1942
100-200    04/1942 – 06/1942
200-300    07/1942 – 09/1942
300-400    10/1942 – 12/1942
400-500    01/1943 – 04/1943
500-600    05/1943 – 08/1943
600-700    09/1943 – 10/1943
700-800    11/1943 – 02/1944
800-900    03/1944 – 05/1944
900-1000    06/1944 – 08/1944
1000-1100    09/1944 – 11/1944
1100-1200    12/1944 – 02/1945
1200-1300    03/1945 – 06/1945

 

https://second-worldwar.com/m1-helmet-shell-dating-heat-stamp/

 

The article I linked has a few lots with known stamping dates and none of them line up with this, so exercise caution.

[twthmoses]

On 4/11/2025 at 11:28 PM, aef1917 said:

 

The article I linked has a few lots with known stamping dates and none of them line up with this, so exercise caution.

Indeed. The above list is only semi correct. Also note in the article the dates for lots 863 and 865 are, probably, a writing mistake. It’s not 19 Aug 1944, but 19 July 1944. So says the source.

Here are two better.

[The Rooster]

Were the Manufacturers still making front seam stainless

rims in late 1944?

[twthmoses]

1 hour ago, The Rooster said:

Were the Manufacturers still making front seam stainless

rims in late 1944?

Change happen in feb 1944.

[twthmoses]

2 hours ago, The Rooster said:

Were the Manufacturers still making front seam stainless

rims in late 1944?

Sorry misread your post in my previous reply. Fixed to hinged loops happened in feb 44. Front to rear seam happened in feb 45. So yes front seam was still going strong in late 44. In fact most of the war is front seam shells.