Original US WWII M1 Fixed Bale Helmet & Westinghouse Liner with White Rayon Suspension
Offered is an original US WWII M1 front seam fixed bale helmet complete with its original Westinghouse liner featuring the desirable early war white rayon suspension system. This helmet is nicely preserved condition.
The shell is an early fixed bale example retaining quite a bit of its original olive drab cork-textured finish. The finish remains nice overall, showing moderate service wear, scattered handling marks, and minor abrasions consistent with age. The web chinstrap is present and intact, with correct period hardware.
The helmet is fitted with an original liner clearly marked with the Westinghouse logo (photo 19). The liner retains its desirable early white rayon suspension system remaining complete and in very good condition with rare brass rectangular sided washers. The webbing is clean and strong, with only minor age-related wear visible. The original leather sweatband remains present and serviceable, showing expected age, two snaps are torn on one side and used, but retaining good overall integrity. The original nape/neck strap is missing, but the strap that holds the neck strap is ripped at on of the brass rectangular washer. The fixed leather chinstrap is present and retains good flexibility, exhibiting age-related wear and some verdigris around the hardware. The painted liner exterior remains in good condition, retaining a lot of its finish with handling marks.
Overall this set is in very good condition.
