Army Airborne helmet

Question and opinion regarding Living History / Reenacting.
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fjm
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Army Airborne helmet

Post by fjm » Sun Jun 13, 2021 12:16 pm

Hi Guys,

Have a WWII Army Airborne helmet.
Have seen absurd low and high asking prices on internet.
If authentic and with provenance can any of you savvy guys advise me on realistic value of it?
Can provide detailed description and photos.
Would appreciate it

Many thanks
FM
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Last edited by fjm on Mon Jun 14, 2021 5:35 am, edited 1 time in total.


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hell-fire
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Re: Army Airborne helmet

Post by hell-fire » Mon Jun 14, 2021 2:06 am

Front or rear seam, ? Fixed or swivel bale,? What is the make of the liner, you could have a real gem, post some photos please.
John
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1942 Willys MB-BRT 135673 D.O.D. 4-16-42 Now 97% finished
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fjm
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Re: Army Airborne helmet

Post by fjm » Mon Jun 14, 2021 5:30 am

Many thanks for your time.
Fixed bale, front seam, liner - WD25 - Westinghouse?

AZ Jeff
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Re: Army Airborne helmet

Post by AZ Jeff » Wed Jun 16, 2021 10:54 am

Liner does not appear to be a real para. The rivets used to hold the lining "A" washers should be the same size all the way around. Instead, the "Y" yokes have rivets that are larger... (= replaced). The male snaps for the chinstrap also look way too big. "Rigger" made M-1C liners don't look like these. Pic may be giving me a false reading on the relative sizes... so maybe I'm wrong?

Helmet shell straps have some strange, heavy sewing at the bail folds???

IF the liner has been monkeyed with the value goes WAY down. Same with a fixed bail shell that has altered/repaired/replaced straps. These helmets only have factory straps once.

Just my 2 Centavos.

Jeff Q.
AZ

fjm
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Re: Army Airborne helmet

Post by fjm » Wed Jun 16, 2021 2:09 pm

Hey thanks Jeff for the input.

I will shoot detailed photos and post by or b4 weekend.
This helmet came directly from veteran , all I know is what he told me which was that this was his helmet , and I believe he said he made 1 combat jump across the Rhone not Rhine river.

He did not mention if this was the only helmet he was issued or if it was repaired or modified while in his possession.

I hate the saying but it is what it is and if not "correct" well that is why I made contact with this forum to get some educated opinions.

Many thanks,

FM

fjm
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Re: Army Airborne helmet

Post by fjm » Sat Jun 19, 2021 6:56 am

Jeff,

Additional photos attached as promised. Thanks. fjm
Attachments
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AZ Jeff
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Re: Army Airborne helmet

Post by AZ Jeff » Wed Jun 23, 2021 4:39 pm

Cool. Much better pics -- thank you.

So... the standard suspension rivets, particularly the two on each side that retain the "Y" yokes, look factory (or at least the same size as the other rivets). The rivet for the "garter" stud (that the leather liner chinstrap attaches to) appears to be the right size, as does the female snap rivet for the (shell) retention straps. Painted, cast buckles on the Y yokes are correct. Liner looks good to me.

The fixed bail shell never would have had airborne type chinstraps. The straps on it appear to be the correct weave so I'm thinking Uncle re-furbed the shell by adding replacement straps with a WHOLE LOT of thread (instead of a neat bar tack). I wouldn't rule-out a fixed bail helmet being used with an airborne liner in a pinch, just not "text book".

If your vet jumped the Rhine he was with the 17th Airborne Division. If you have a name he may appear in Don Pay's roster of 17th vets in Thunder from Heaven.

Jeff Q.
AZ

fjm
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Re: Army Airborne helmet

Post by fjm » Thu Jun 24, 2021 9:36 am

I believe he said the "Rhone" river but I may be mistaken.

Late war entry and with the 517th RCT Which a veteran described to me as a " bastard unit" as at various times attached to the 17th, or 101 as needed.

Do not know if this is accurate info but best I have

Thanks for your assessment.

Possible value?


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