Helmet collection

[wildcat123]

Hello all,

 

I am fairly new to the group and have really enjoyed reading all the posts and getting a few questions answered. I finally sat down to figure out how to post pictures and thought I would share my M1 collection with you. I look forward to learning a lot more from you guys in the future.

 

Here is my modest collection, I have been collecting M1s for about 2 years now.

 

Top shelf (l to r) - Flex bail w/Inland liner, Flex bail w/late war Westinghouse, Fix bail w/early war Firestone, Fix bail w/mid war IMP, Fix bail w/Hawley

 

Middle shelf (l to r) - Fix bail w/Inland, Fix bail with Firestone, Fix bail w/Seamans and net/scrim, Naval painted (I think) fix bail w/Capac, Fix bail w/Firestone over Inland.

 

Bottom shelf (l to r) - Firestone iner with 1st Lt and vertical strip on back, Korean era M1, Flex bail w/MSA, M1917A1

[foster]

Nice looking collection!

I'm kicking myself for selling so many of the helmets I have had in the past 10 or so years, but they were taking up too much space

Hang on to them! They've been appreciating in value faster than a lot of stocks & bonds it seems!

[sgtdorango]

Great looking collection you have there , pick a few and post some detailed pics when you have time....mike

[ccmax]

I agree, nice display.

[Theorywolf]

Great collection in such a short period of time!

 

Mike

[wildcat123]

Here are some close up pictures of a couple of the helmets in my collection. First my rayon lined Hawley with Fixed bail. Both the shell and the liner are marked "A.R.L. 37." Any idea what that was for?

[wildcat123]

Here is a swival bail with Westinghouse liner. Both pieces are marked "M-0737." It is neat to see that the liner and shell have been together for a long time. Is there any way to ID the helmet with that little to go on (last digits of service number and first letter of last name, I'm assuming)? There is writing on the front of the helmet as well. Any insight on what this was for? Does it look like 60 year old chalk markings (what would that look like). The writing has worn away the texturing, so it was done with some force. If anyone has any theories, I would appreciate it.

[wildcat123]

Here is another fixed bail helmet with later war Firestone liner named to a 2nd Lt. Any idea what the white circle on the back signafies? It looks like a wartime repaint to me.

[Bugme]

Here is another fixed bail helmet with later war Firestone liner named to a 2nd Lt. Any idea what the white circle on the back signafies? It looks like a wartime repaint to me.

 

Very nice collection! The white circle on the back is a PTO specific medical marking. Could be either Navy Corpsman, Army Medic or other type medical staff. They put a white spot on the back to point them out as medic's to our boy's but, to hide that fact from the Japanese who did not respect the Geneva Convention nor the Red Cross marked helmets unlike the Germans who for the most part recognized medic's as non-combatants. A red cross in the PTO just made a great aiming point for snipers.