Nice helmet....typical of what most M1 helmet collectors have on their shelf...a Vietnam ERA helmet representative of what would have been worn in Vietnam.     IMO, the one posted by VNVET70 is the same...a very nice helmet representative of what would have been worn in Vietnam, but doubtful that it saw service in theater.  But....you never know.     What you have to remember is that air bases like Bien Hoa were loaded with thousands, if not 10's of thousands, of Airmen and Army support staff that were all issued a helmet and wore it only during the occasional rocket attack.  It is 100% possible to find a helmet that was indeed used in theater but ends up in pristine condition after the war having seen minimal use.     All depends on what you want.  Unless I saw the vet pull it out of his duffle bag myself, I could not sleep soundly at night with 99% of graffiti helmet covers.  There's just no way to know when the graffiti was added.        

I was in Vietnam 1969-70 and didn’t bring my helmet home, just my camo cover. Last year I was given this one from the estate of a Marine who was in Vietnam in 1968. The cover on this one is much earlier than Vietnam. At least I know it’s real and not put together. 

Saw this liner on FB Mkt. Sure looks like a Hawley liner to me. Thoughts?

Very nice medal! I love these early 5th AF awards. I have similar theater engraved examples, Usually a DFC was awarded after 200 hours, but he had 3 OLCs too.  I'm guessing he got some of those for other actions besides hours.    Kurt

Looks to be something made for the civilian hunting market.

Nice ones Marty! I had one that I sold here to I think it was Trenchfoot? I was pretty sure it was an in country Worn Helmet. All the writing is in ball point pen, very faded except for the writing and the peace sign which was inside protected. I doubt many soldiers had markers early in the war. But every single soldier carried a ball point pen. The Graffiti on the cover was all rock and roll songs. Purple Haze, Sunshine of your love, Tennesee, A peace sign a Womans name Irene. Thing was beat the whole thing... Like it was in Vietnam. Even had oil stains on it! Oil stains come from firing a weapon. It was rough one too. I believe it was the real deal. Sorry I had to let it go but covid took its pinch on the finances back then.

Charlie, Thank you! Thanks to Allen H and all who contributed. Its quite a read and I had no idea of all the controversy surrounding these. Was interested to read that their initial cost, was a dollar and 25 cents!!! Thats a bit shy of what they go for today! Understatement of the year!!! lol  

One that’s a little rough

I have some in country covers that are in all different conditions. Officers that look new, one cover that was the guys second cover and was used very little… etc