Posted 9 years ago
battlegear
(69 items)
The M1 helmet was adopted in 1941 to replace the M1917 helmet, Over 22 million U.S. M-1 steel helmets were manufactured by September 1945 at the end of World War II
On each side of the helmet there are stainless steel loops for the chinstrap. The shape of these fixtures is one of the most recognizable distinguishing factors between shells produced at different times. Early World War II production helmets had fixed, rectangular loops, the helmet in my display is an early WWII type with the fixed loops or fixed bales, later helmets had swivel loops
The later swivel feature was adopted in 1943 to address the problem that when earlier helmets were dropped, the loops were more susceptible to breaking off.
the canteen is an early WWI model 1910 with a tan WWII web canteen pouch , lots of web gear & canteens left over from the First World War were still issued during WWII, they didnt start making the dark OD color web gear until late war around 1944 - 45
Technical Sergeant Richard S. Westhoven of Lancaster, Ohio, poses in full field equipment as issued to an infantryman with a U.S. Rifle Platoon.
Worn them but won't say it was a good memory. May have bad dreams tonite.