WW2 GI M1 Fixed Bale Helmet w Complete Fiber Liner Mkd

Pricing & History

Sold for
Start Free Trial or Sign In to see what it's worth.
Sold Date
Source eBay

This listing represents a first for me. you have a complete, World War II GI M1 Fixed Bale Helmet with M1 Liner. It has been over two years since I have located a fixed bale helmet, and months since I have located any kind of WWII GI Combat Helmet. The Helmet is stamped 588 and comes with the desired like khaki OD strap, beautifully pebbled combat finish, and a complete liner that includes the sweatband, neck rest, and leather chinstrap. is an item that is the icon of the American GI, is getting harder to locate and a must have for serious GI Collectors. The fixed bale helmet went on the drawing board in 1940, and was available for issue in 1941. This WWII M1 steel combat helmet has the front seam, combat finish, light khaki-OD chinstrap, brass chinstrap buckles and hook, and the coveted fixed bales. Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and the Coast Guard all wore fixed bale helmets. The front seam crimp is indicative of an early WWII helmet. The fixed bales seal this helmet as a Model 1941. T is a thick, evenly distributed pebbled finish to the exterior. The rim is present and in place. T is just very light rust to the exterior’s crown, and an almost rust free interior with the original OD paint. T are no cracks, gouges, crazing and one slight dent to the crown. The helmet has the original finish. It appears to be contractor stamped 588 under the brim. The chinstrap is khakish-green and is the wartime sewn on model. The buckles are brass, and the canvas is nicely preserved. Please be careful when adjusting the strap; however, because the strap is sixty-eight years old. The helmet liner is complete and represents the second pattern liner in excellent condition. It is marked S 9 or 6 to the crown’s interior with a faded yellow number 2. The liner retains the original WWII OD Green Paint. The helmet has green OD Herringbone Twill web suspension and the original tie. The interior retains the neck rest, leather and HBT cotton sweatband, and the leather chinstrap. The interior has an alternating light and dark pattern indicative of a WWII liner. The liner has the complete webbing. All six sections are intact. The neck rest mount and neck nape rest are present. The nape rest is marked large, was made by S.M.C., and has the contract numbers. The leather and brownish-OD HBT sweatband is intact with the six green alligator clips. The leather is soft and pliable. The sweatband is in place and intact. The sweatband also has contract markings. I do not recommend removing the sweatband. It is a large size as it comfortably fits my 7 ¼ cap size. The leather chinstrap is present with triangle mounts, and has been looped under the web suspension. It looks like the leather snapped on one side, and is almost broken through on the other. The leather is in tough shape. These; however, are simple enough to replace and the liner chinstraps can still be located. The A rivets for the suspension are also painted in the desired WWII green color. The crown retains the original tie. T is little or no crazing to the rim. T are two vertical cracks to the liner around the temples. One is two inches and the other is three. T looks like glue was applied a long time ago. The cracks probably occurred during the war. The liner looks indigenous to the helmet. The liner can be used under a M1 helmet. WWII GI helmets, and the coveted fixed bale helmets in particular, are getting difficult to find (and expensive), and half of those come without liners or correct liners w the webbing has rotted or missing the sweatband, neck rest and chinstrap. Genuine WWII liners are as difficult to locate, especially since Saving Private Ryan and Band of Brothers premiered, and is your chance to pick up a WWII Fixed Bale Helmet with the original, complete M1 Helmet Liner. I have included reference photographs from pages 64 and 65 of the reference book GI, Government Issue, A Collector’s Guide to the European Theatre, Volume I. This M1 Fixed Bale GI Combat Helmet ostensibly is one of the finest I have ever ... read more

Items in the Price Guide are obtained exclusively from licensors and partners solely for our members’ research needs.

Flag item for content or copyright

If this item contains incorrect or inappropriate information please contact us here to flag it for review.

If you are the originator/copyright holder of this photo/item and would prefer it be excluded from our community, contact us here for removal.