"The well known pot shape of the US M1 helmet was introduced in 1941. It replaced the M17 which had been a copy of the British Brodie helmet and the M17A1 which was similar but with a modified liner. The M1 came into being during a total overhaul of the uniform and equipment used by the US soldier. The helmet was so well designed that it would stay in service for over 40 years, one of the variations would even be used by paratroopers. The M1 was unique in its design, actually two helmets combined. It was made so that one helmet could fit all head sizes. The round outer steel shell was made in one piece, a process which sometimes saw cracks appear in the metal. Although improved, this fault was never entirely eliminated. Rigid chin strap bars were soldered to the sides of the shell and a tan webbing chin strap was machine sewn to these bars, this strap had a two prong fastener. The shell was edged with a rim of steel which joined at the front peak. This helmet shell was finished in a rough texture olive drab paint finish. The inner plastic helmet, which served as the liner, contained a riveted tan webbing harness, three loops of web strap held be a central web tie that was easily adjusted to fit any size head. A leather sweat band was simply sized and clipped into place on the harness. A small nape strap fastened to the rear of the liner, helped the helmet sit comfortably on the wearer's head. A thin leather chin strap was clipped into the liner. This was usually worn across the peak of the outer shell when the two parts were combined. A small riveted hole to the front of the inner shell served to hold rank or distinctive insignia. This is the original M1, a well designed and, it must be said, stylish helmet."
Article by John McCormack, courtesy of "The Armourer" magazine.
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