M-1 Fixed Bale Helmet – Most Likely Navy Usage With Stenciled Number 283 – SOLD

M-1 Fixed Bale Helmet – Most Likely Navy Usage With Stenciled Number 283.  This appears to be an early McCord M-1 helmet with a heat no. of “230D.”  In original cork/paint finish, front seam, fixed bale issue, with a liner made by Inland (logo /5).  The outer front is black stencil painted “283,” and believe this to be a Navy designation, possibly for a ship. Early issue Navy helmets were left in original paint, and note painted gray until later in the war.

Complete with original chin strap, and retaining nearly all of the original surface paint.  Some wear on the crown, and sporadic white paint residue on surface.  Liner is complete, and has leather chinstrap, broken from dryness/ age, but complete and could be repaired. Sweatband appears to be the original, leather dry, made by J.P. Smith Shoe Co.; liner in fine condition.

A fine early war M-1 with a potential history.