United States. An M1 Steel Combat Helmet with Liner

A two-piece steel combat helmet set composed of an outer M1 helmet shell and removable liner, the outer shell constructed of manganese steel with a textured olive drab finish, the dome displaying scattered service wear, light abrasions and minor paint loss consistent with field use, the rim finished in rolled stainless steel, fitted with fixed chinstrap bales and retaining its khaki web chinstrap with blackened steel hardware and adjustable clasp; the interior of the shell finished in olive drab paint showing age, adhesive residue and light oxidation marks from long-term liner contact, the removable liner constructed of compressed fibre with olive drab painted exterior and brown interior finish, fitted with a web suspension assembly in khaki cotton webbing arranged in the characteristic six-point star pattern with central tie cord, retaining its leather sweatband and khaki web headband with adjustment studs, together with the liner chinstrap in matching webbing with metal buckle; the interior diameter measuring approximately 22 cm across, with no visible manufacturer stamps or heat lot markings present on the interior of the shell or liner. The set remains structurally sound with evident period wear and honest service patina.

Footnote: The M1 Steel Helmet was adopted by the United States Army in 1941 and remained the standard American combat helmet through the Second World War, the Korean War, and into the early stages of the Vietnam War. Designed by the U.S. Ordnance Department, it replaced the earlier M1917 “Brodie” helmet and introduced a revolutionary two-piece system consisting of a steel outer shell and removable liner. This design allowed soldiers to remove the liner for comfort or wear it independently when the steel shell was not required. M1 helmets were produced during the Second World War by several manufacturers including McCord Radiator & Manufacturing Company and Schlueter Manufacturing Company.