WWII U.S. McCord M-2 "D-Bail" Paratrooper Helmet Shell with Field Repair (1942)

Description

This is an original WWII U.S. M-2 "D-bail" paratrooper helmet shell. It was manufactured by McCord Radiator & Manufacturing Co. of Detroit, Michigan and exhibits a lot number of "188C", approximately dating its production to mid-1942. During WWII, McCord produced around 20 million steel helmet shells. Of those, American Paratrooper Helmets posits 392,000 were made as the M-2 version, with The M-1 Helmet of the World War II GI estimating the production total at a much lower 118,000. These helmets had a significant design flaw; the pressure put on the loops would often cause them to snap at the welds, as evident on this example. Riggers sometimes repaired these damaged helmets in a variety of methods: brass brazing of the original loops, drilling holes into the helmet and weaving wire through, or like on this example, by brass brazing donor infantry fixed loops over the factory welds. Although repaired, 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. After the brazing, a set of field-applied OD#7 (green) chinstraps with steel hardware were secured to the replacement loops via three staples. M-2s in this configuration are believed to have been collected from the battlefield, refurbished, and then issued to nurses and other rear-echelon types. The helmet retains an original field repaint with the initials "J.H.R." scratched at the front. 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 St. Clair paratrooper liner.

Provenance

Private Collection, Vancouver, Washington

Condition Report

This helmet shell is in good condition, with wear consistent with that of a combat-used example.