US M1 Helmet (1960’s, 1983)

Camouflage, Custom and Tailored Items, Early Cold War (1945 - 1968), Headgear, Helmets, Later Cold War (1969 - 1989), United States, Vietnam War

The M1 helmet was introduced into service in 1941 for World War 2, replacing the earlier Brodie helmet that was worn during WW1 and the inter-war years. The M1 has a two-part construction, with an inner fiber liner which has the suspension, and an outer metal shell to protect against shrapnel. This design was based on football helmets of the 1930’s. The M1 helmet was used in American service from 1941 – 1986, when it was replaced with the Kevlar PASGT design. The helmet was also widely exported to and copied by western-aligned nations during the Cold War. [1]

Painted 1960’s:

“Follow me” stripes like “cat’s eyes” for night time visibility were painted over.
Old unit crest was painted over.

The helmet was painted with a green grass-like camouflage pattern. The unit this would have been issued to is unknown.

Liner Inside:

Liner made by New England Westinghouse in 1962 or 1966.
Name written onto sweatband at the back.

Liner is dated and named.

Shell Inside:

Shell has the same name written onto it.

Chinstrap:

Refurbished 1983:

This helmet was refurbished with a 1983 dated liner and brown dominant ERDL cover after the Vietnam War.

Liner:

Liner is dated 1983.

Shell:

The shell was repainted as part of the refurbishment process.

Cover Inside:

Cover was found with the helmet, but was installed on a different one before since there is no heavy rusting at the shell’s rim.
1980 contract date.

Helmet cover uses a similar brown dominant ERDL as the later RDF uniforms, but in a non-ripstop fabric.