{"product_id":"wwii-u-s-mccord-m-2-d-bail-paratrooper-helmet-shell-marked-with-laundry-numbers-1942","title":"WWII U.S. McCord M-2 \"D-Bail\" Paratrooper Helmet Shell Marked with Laundry Numbers (1942)","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDescription\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is an original WWII U.S. M-2 \"D-bail\" paratrooper helmet shell. This helmet was manufactured by McCord Radiator \u0026amp; Manufacturing Co. of Detroit, Michigan and exhibits a lot number of \"21_D\", approximately dating its production to mid-1942. During WWII, McCord produced around 20 million steel helmet shells. Of those, \u003cem\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/American-Paratrooper-Helmets-Michel-Trez\/dp\/2352501415\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eAmerican Paratrooper Helmets\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e posits 392,000 were made as the M-2 version, with \u003cem\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/M-1-Helmet-World-War-II\/dp\/0764336630\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eThe M-1 Helmet of the World War II GI\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e estimating the production total at a much lower 118,000. These helmets had a significant design flaw; pressure put on the loops would often cause them to snap at the welds, as evidenced on this example. Although damaged, authenticity can still be confirmed by examining the remaining “feet” of the original loops. Original M-2 welds have a distance of 36 millimeters, whereas standard M-1 welds are only 31 millimeters apart. M-2 feet have a distinctive shape that the M-1 lacks. The M-1’s loops are also made out of stainless steel, whereas the M-2’s loops are not. The helmet retains its original olive drab factory finish and cork texture. Its interior is marked with the laundry numbers of two different paratroopers: \"\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/wwii-enlistment.com\/search\/?q=E-9082\u0026amp;select=laundryNumber\u0026amp;quick-search=1\" title=\"E-9082 Laundry Number Search Results\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eE-9082\u003c\/a\u003e\" and \"\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/wwii-enlistment.com\/search\/?q=G-1117\u0026amp;select=laundryNumber\u0026amp;quick-search=1\" title=\"G-1117 Laundry Number Results\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eG-1117\u003c\/a\u003e\". A search of the National Archives yields 61 results, making this piece an ideal research project for its new owner. Due to limited production numbers, the design flaw, as well as having to endure a war, original M-2 helmets are incredibly scarce. This helmet would display quite nicely when paired with an original \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/gustafsons.co\/products\/wwii-u-s-m-2-paratrooper-helmet-liner-by-st-clair-rubber-co-with-rayon-suspension-remnants-1942?_pos=1\u0026amp;_psq=clair\u0026amp;_ss=e\u0026amp;_v=1.0\" title=\"WWII U.S. M-2 Paratrooper Helmet Liner by St. Clair Rubber Co. with Rayon Suspension Remnants (1942)\"\u003eSt. Clair paratrooper liner\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eProvenance\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePrivate Collection, Woodburn, Oregon\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCondition Report\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e \u003cmeta name=\"viewport\" content=\"width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cstyle\u003e\n        body {\n            font-family: 'Futura', Arial, sans-serif;\n            background-color: #f4f4f4;\n            margin: 0;\n            padding: 0px;\n        }\n\n        .condition-report {\n            max-width: 767px;\n            margin: 0 auto;\n            background-color: transparent; \/* Transparent background *\/\n            border: none; \/* No border *\/\n            padding: 0px;\n        }\n\n        .scale-container {\n            display: flex;\n            justify-content: space-around; \/* Changed from space-between to space-around *\/\n            position: relative;\n            padding: 0px 0;\n        }\n\n        .scale-item {\n            display: flex;\n            flex-direction: column;\n            align-items: center;\n            position: relative;\n            flex: 1;\n            text-align: center;\n        }\n\n        .scale-label {\n            font-size: 16px; \/* Font size updated to 16 *\/\n            color: #999; \/* Lighter color for \"Fair\" and \"Excellent\" *\/\n            margin-top: 10px; \/* Increased space below the dot *\/\n        }\n\n        .highlight {\n            font-size: 18px; \/* Increase font size *\/\n            font-weight: bold; \/* Make the text bold *\/\n            color: #333; \/* Darker color for \"Good\" *\/\n        }\n\n        .dot {\n            height: 12px; \/* Larger dot *\/\n            width: 12px;\n            background-color: #999; \/* Lighter dot color for \"Fair\" and \"Excellent\" *\/\n            border-radius: 50%;\n            display: inline-block;\n            position: relative;\n            z-index: 0; \/* Ensure dots are above the line *\/\n        }\n\n        .highlight-dot {\n            background-color: #333; \/* Darker dot color for \"Good\" *\/\n            height: 12px; \/* Increase dot size *\/\n            width: 12px;\n        }\n\n        .line {\n            position: absolute;\n            top: 10%; \/* Adjusted top property for better alignment *\/\n            left: 5%; \/* Shortened the line *\/\n            right: 5%; \/* Shortened the line *\/\n            height: 2px;\n            background-color: #eaeaea; \/* Lighter line color *\/\n            transform: translateY(-50%); \/* Adjust for perfect centering *\/\n            z-index: 0; \/* Line behind the dots *\/\n        }\n\n        @media (max-width: 600px) {\n            .condition-report {\n                padding: 0px; \/* Reduced padding for mobile *\/\n            }\n\n            .scale-container {\n                flex-direction: row; \/* Ensure items are in a row *\/\n                justify-content: space-around; \/* Bring items closer together *\/\n                padding: 10px 0;\n            }\n\n            .scale-label {\n                font-size: 14px; \/* Smaller font size for mobile *\/\n            }\n\n            .dot {\n                height: 12px; \/* Smaller dot for mobile *\/\n                width: 12px;\n            }\n\n            .highlight {\n                font-size: 16px; \/* Slightly smaller font size for mobile *\/\n            }\n\n            .highlight-dot {\n                height: 12px; \/* Slightly smaller dot size for mobile *\/\n                width: 12px;\n            }\n\n            .line {\n                top: 23%; \/* Adjusted top property for better alignment on mobile *\/\n                left: 10%; \/* Shortened the line *\/\n                right: 10%; \/* Shortened the line *\/\n            }\n        }\n    \u003c\/style\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"condition-report\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"scale-container\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"line\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"scale-item\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"dot\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"scale-label\"\u003eFair\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"scale-item\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"dot highlight-dot\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"scale-label highlight\"\u003eGood\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"scale-item\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"dot\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"scale-label\"\u003eExcellent\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis helmet shell is in good, used condition, with wear consistent with that of a combat-used example. There are two dents at the top and some damage near the seam.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Buy Now","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":66917857722413,"sku":null,"price":3250.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0619\/1421\/8541\/files\/WWII_U.S._McCord_M-2_D-Bail_Paratrooper_Helmet_Shell_Marked_with_Laundry_Numbers_1942_-Original63.jpg?v=1781737816","url":"https:\/\/gustafsons.co\/products\/wwii-u-s-mccord-m-2-d-bail-paratrooper-helmet-shell-marked-with-laundry-numbers-1942","provider":"Gustafson's","version":"1.0","type":"link"}