Hello

Picked up this excellent condition talker helmet today. Look original? Comments..

Couple more pictures

Great to get it with the chin strap!

Yes, all complete and in great shape..

Who made these helmets? McCord? I saw a thread from several years back that mentioned some were marked by McCord and the liner by Firestone. Are there any reference books out on this subject?

Thanks

Here is the link..

http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/1063-usn-talker-helmet/

McCord delivered 400,000 Mk 2 helmets to the Navy Department during the war.

So McCord was the only contractor?

So McCord was the only contractor?

 

As far as I can tell.

 

They had one interesting non-military use too.

 

In the thread that I included, there is a posting with a McCord mark, and Firestone mark. All of the talker helmets I have seen have a Large MK2 and U.S.N. on them that appears to be all identical and factory done( print of lettering is on helmet and foam glued liner). So with that being said, is the one pictured in the thread with McCord and Firestone markings a factory sample that was not finish painted and marked for shipment to the Navy?

I have seen a few Firestone stamps and I have seen 3 different liner types 1. A gray vinyl covered foam. 2. Tan cloth covered foam and 3. A gray cloth covered foam.

Looks like a good one. Nice find!

I was very happy to find it.

Hi

The talker with the McCord and Firestone Marks is mine the helmet. It is finished and painted Navy blue with cork. The upper coat over the cork is very thin I think this the way they were sent to the navy but because of use they were repainted very quickly and marked MK2

Interesting.. The finish on mine does not appear to have any other layers, or repaints. It also is very thin. Maybe the other marks are just too light to see, or wore off..

You raised my interest in this helmet (once again) so I it got out of storage. Also took some quick pic (not very good) of the paint and the liner. I think your is a repaint because the edge of the liner is painted. These helmet were paint then they were shipped to Firestone to glue in liners. The McCord stamp is a Mc in a circle and a small MK2. The dark edge is the glue would on stick to the paint very well so was left in primer if you look came see where a line were marked of the end of the paint. The out side the cork showing thought because of paint rubbing off thought this helmet very little or no use the paint is that thin.