U.S. M1 Fixed Bale Helmet

This is an M1 fixed bale front seamed helmet, which would have been manufactured between July 1941 to October 1943. This example has been period over painted black with two letters painted on the front of the helmet. The letters look to be 'OB" possibly for Observer. Traces of the original green paint can be clearly seen underneath the overpaint with the inside of the shell still in its original green finish. The webbing chinstrap has the early brass buckle with the raised bar and is stencilled with the original owners personal service number. The plastic high pressure liner is the the third pattern, which also has been period overpainted black. It has an unusual chinstrap buckle, may have been experimental. The liner is maker marked with the letter "W" over a crown within an oval which identifies the maker as Westinghouse Electric Company

Code: 69783