Just because the straps look the same means absolutely nothing when it comes to Airborne helmets or even any other helmet! Sure, the thread is the same color, but was it applied the same? Is it the same length across the strap? Do the straps show wear? Are they reproductions? These are all things we have to ask ourselves before putting any big money on a helmet. Especially when you’re excited when you think you may have the real deal. Personally I wouldn’t touch this one with the points already given. I specially since it has no provenance. Fakers have already figured out how to get helmets to look legit so we can’t just go off of looks and feel anymore. Really just take a look at the old JKash threads.

Impressive research skills axolotl!

So sorry to hear this. Eric was a nice guy!! Quite helpful. May he rest in peace!!!

For me, that front seam manganese rim fat buckle Westinghouse is as close as I will get to a real deal WW2 para helmet. A real deal D bail is is just too hard to find in my price range. Over the years so many of them have been faked. You will need a good eye to spot them. Go over the posts on this site and pay attention to what the guys are calling out as tell tale on the fakes.

Before you drop any real money I strongly suggest you go back over the links I posted for you. Every US M1 WW2 helmet has tells as to when it was made. It wasn't a one and done production line. The changes from the first M1 to the last WW2 production speak to when it was made They have small production changes that happened through out the war. When I first started collecting these I did not understand the small differences. It matters if you are going to collect. 

Photo gleaned out of a posting on Craigslist/Grass Lake , Michigan Ad Description: Unfortunately, the team isn’t identified, but I’m pretty sure that it’s from the western part of Michigan. Since the photo shows the team flanked by what looks to be an army sergeant with barracks in the background. I’m guessing that this might be from the Ft. Custer (built in 1917( baseball team. I could be wrong, and please correct me if I am. The patches on the uniforms all say 3508, but above it is the individual player’s signature. I’m also guessing that the uniforms could then be used with only the patches being swapped out.   

Finally, Here is James R. Miller (1924-1979), and I was able to confirm it was him via using the address provided (164 Gardens Street) and the 1940 census. Attached is his PA Vet compensation form (sorry for quality)   Hope this helps!

This is a correct D bail. If you look hard you will see the white thread on the chin strap showing at the D. What you are showing is not a Westinghouse liner. The yokes are different, and the snaps on the D are shinny. It's a different bird. 

Thanx P-59, no problem  -   always interesting to look at those vintage documents, I find them fascinating.   RWW, thanx very much,  yes sure the MD-1 retention system was used in fair measure some time earlier than summer 1958. I read time ago the thing was under evaluation in early 1957, nothing less, so I figured out the later part of that year was reasonably a correct time to see the item in operational use; and in fact, a Navy APH-5 that I got time ago being upgraded this way showed those chromed receivers in late 1957 when worn by a Skyray pilot.   Matter is, what surprised me of the above video is the 1956 date that if correctly meant within the context, brings the dummy's helmet not later than the interview and this apparently would bring the said receivers to early 1956. Unless the date is only for the interview in itself, and possibly the other footage have been added later on    -     just to offer a more generic view of how those trials looked like?

Love that wolf scout patch-- didn't know that existed.