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Description
This is an original pre-Vietnam War USN/USMC M-1 helmet set. It is decorated with a rare December 10, 1959, dated Mitchell pattern camouflage helmet cover. The cover's exterior is marked with the surname "SOYER", while the interior manufacturer's label is named to an MCB-4 Seabee, "C. G. MILLER". Mobile Construction Battalion 4 participated in four combat deployments to Vietnam between 1965 and 1969 and were mostly involved in constructing airfields and fortified bunkers in heavily contested forward bases near the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). The cover is also marked with the apparent laundry number of a third serviceman, "H-4889". The front seam swivel loop helmet shell is actually of WWII production and was reissued for continued service during the Vietnam War. It was manufactured by McCord Radiator & Manufacturing Co. of Detroit, Michigan. Unfortunately, its lot number is quite faint; however, it appears to read "3_2_", approximately dating its production from late-1942 to early-1943. As such, this helmet likely left the factory with fixed loops prior to being depot refurbished with swivel loops. It retains an original olive drab repaint, texture, and OD#7 (green) chinstraps with blackened steel hardware. The P55 helmet liner was manufactured in 1956 by the Micarta Division of Westinghouse Electric & Manufacturing Company of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It features black painted steel A-washers and an OD#7 suspension. The suspension comes complete with its original 1957-dated headband. The liner's exterior retains its original olive drab factory finish.
Provenance
Private Collection, Dallas, Texas
Condition Report
Fair
Good
Excellent
This helmet set is in good, well used condition. The steel shell is somewhat misshapen and cracked at the rear.
