WWII U.S. Parish-Reading Swivel Loop M-1 Helmet Shell with Korean War Era 3rd Infantry Division Painted Insignia (1945)

Description

This original and exceptionally rare WWII U.S. M-1 helmet shell resulted from the partnership between Parish Pressed Steel Co. and Reading Hardware Corp., both of Reading, Pennsylvania. Parish-Reading helmets account for less than half of 1% of all M-1 helmets produced during the war (Circa1941, 2022). It exhibits original, albeit Korean War era, hand painted insignia of the 3rd Infantry Division. Parish-Reading lot numbers are located by the wearer's right chinstrap loop. Unfortunately, this example's lot number is concealed beneath its thick field repaint. We can be certain, however, of its manufacture due to its dramatic angles, which are unlike those of McCord and Schlueter.

Provenance

Private Collection, Dallas, Texas

Condition Report

Unfortunately, this helmet's chinstraps are missing, however should the new owner decide to faithfully restore it, we are offering a set of suitable replacements here.