Sweetheart piece. 

Blacksmith, what you have noted about the wire is what i also took notice of. this wire is a thick gauge and you can't even squeeze to move it. i noticed what you said when i had it in hand. so it is like i said-- took a chance. i have seen many helmets that by themselves were 100% that had "questionable" painted insignia-camo-- netting said to be added later or fake which down the road turned out to be 100% married to the helmet. if i had some very positive doubts this item would have been left where i saw it.

i wish you luck! not even ima usa has it. and i could only find images but anything that follows the laws of physics is possible (i hate it when people say anything is possible because it is just not true)

Thanks for the comments! And here I have it hanging on a rifle rack in the spare bedroom over the mantle with some of my other "junk".

Thanks for your reply. This did come along with a period USMC sweetheart piece, so maybe you are correct. Let's see if I get the same reply from others. Kent

Excellent example. Marv

I forgot to mention the size if that helps? 7/8" X 1" Thanks, Kent

I am no expert on EGA's but I think this is a sweetheart piece. See what others say... Good luck collecting! 

I'd have asked how many do you have? LOL nice score ! 

I bought a hard rubber KA-BAR bowie training knife from "COLD STEEL" on the internet. It is to scale but will not fit into an original  sheath because the tip of the blade is 5/16" wide.