Identification of the Liner Helmet Steel M-1
It all started in 1941 when the Quartermaster adopted a combat helmet that was completely different from the previous one. The latter consisted of a heavy helmet, or shell, and a removable inner helmet. This inner part bears the following official name: Liner Helmet Steel M-1.
Its main advantage was that it could be worn alone, or with its shell. This allowed soldiers to have headgear without the inconvenience of a shell weighing more than a kilo on their head when it was not It was not necessary.
US M1 Liner Paratrooper version Westinghouse
A little flashback
During the year 1940, the American army, which was still using the "M-1917A1" helmet, which was similar to the British model, reported that the helmet was unsuitable for combat. It was necessary to develop a helmet that covered the entire head and which did not obstruct the soldiers' vision.
This heavy development task was entrusted to Colonel HG Sydenham who was inspired by different helmets present in the civilian world. His attention was drawn to the American Football helmets of the time, and he decided to create a lightweight helmet with suspensions that would fit into a protective steel shell. It was the Riddell company that held the patent on this type of helmet, so the production of the prototype called "TS-3" was entrusted to them.
The Liner Fiber Helmet M-1
In order to launch mass production of the new heavy helmet and its under-helmet, and after having purchased the patent from the Riddell firm, the American army decided to launch a call for tenders.
Marine Corp Tropical Pith Helmet
The Mc Cord Radiator & Manufacturing Co company, which already produced the M-1917A1 helmet for the army, decided to join forces with the Hawley Products Company to offer the production of under-helmets.
Hawley Products Company, which manufactured tropical fiber helmets for the military, proposed an underhelmet made from compressed fiber.
This prototype was quickly approved by the army and the first series of nearly 1,000,000 under-helmets was launched in 1941. In total, it was not far from 4,000,000 copies that left the factories of Mc Cord-Hawley and its subcontractor, General Fiber Company. The design of this model was stopped in 1942, with the introduction of a new plastic model.
Orders Fulfilled by the Quartermaster Depot in Chicago
| Contract number | Contract date |
|---|---|
| W-199-qm-1*488 | December 1941 |
| W-199-qm-24436 | March 1942 |
| W-199-qm-37570 | August 1942 |
1st type in compressed cardboard
The under-helmet produced by Mc Cord-Hawley was in its design very close to what was already in place for the development of the tropical helmet.
US M1 liner type “Hawley”
The process was accomplished by gluing together two pieces of compressed cardboard fiber, which were soaked in a waterproof substance and covered with fabric. The suspension structure, originally developed by Riddell Co., was made by assembling white rayon fabrics, secured with riveted rectangular retaining plates.
The brown leather chinstrap of the underhelmet was also riveted directly to the inner side sections, making it impossible to remove it if necessary.
Leather chinstrap rivet
A canvas strap is attached around the entire circumference of the helmet with 6 rectangular brass rivets. Three straps attached with the strip and its rivets form three "V", the ends of which are connected in the center by a cotton lace, so that the depth of the underhelmet can be adjusted.
The canvas headband is equipped with a second leather headband attached with six snaps. On this first model of under helmet, the headband was not adjustable and was available in 13 different sizes.
2nd type in compressed cardboard
The second model in compressed cardboard corresponds to a production between March 1942 and August 1942. The first type of rectangular counter-rivets was replaced by steel models in the shape of an “A”.
The straps that make up the inside of the helmet were also changed, made of OD#3 colored cotton. The inner strap was also changed to allow for head size adjustment. This second type made of compressed cardboard will mark the end of the manufacture of under-helmets with this material considered far too fragile.
Liner Helmet M-1 New Type
Interior view of the M-1 New Type Liner Helmet
It was from November 1942 that the Liner Fibre Helmet M1 was judged as Limited Standard (production and distribution stopped until stocks ended).
It was at this point that the Army issued a new call for tenders to manufacture more durable and faster-produced underhelmets. An order was placed with the production of nearly 600 high-pressure molded examples by three companies specializing in civilian helmets (Inland Division, Mine Safety Appliances and Westinghouse Electric Company).
The QMC (Quartermaster Corps) validated the project in February 1942 under the new name "Liner Helmet, M-1 New Type". As the war raged, orders were placed with three companies (Inland Division, Mine Safety Appliances and Westinghouse Electric Company).
On the other hand, the firms Saint-Clair Rubber Company and BF Goodrich Company – Hool Rubber Division, proposed a low-pressure molded model.
Between July 1942 and August 1945, the Westinghouse firm manufactured no less than 5 variants of high-pressure under-helmet mixing different interior suspension systems and materials.
| 1st Type | Variant 1st Type | 2nd Type | 3rd Type | 4th Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rectangular counter rivets | White metal "A" shaped counter rivets | White metal "A" shaped counter rivets | "A" shaped counter rivets in white painted metal in OD3 | Bronzed metal "A" shaped counter rivets |
| White rayon canvas suspension | White rayon canvas suspension | HBT canvas suspension in OD3 color | HBT canvas suspension in OD3 color | HBT canvas suspension in OD3 color |
| Fixed Chinstrap | Removable chinstrap | Removable chinstrap | Removable chinstrap | Removable chinstrap |
| Non-adjustable headband fixed with a snap button | Non-adjustable headband fixed with a snap button | Adjustable headband | Adjustable headband | Adjustable headband |
The Punches
To find out which manufacturer produced your under-helmet, simply look at the bottom, under the cord that connects the straps in a "V" shape. You should see a sort of stamped logo. Compare it to the different manufacturers listed here to identify the firm.
 Hood Rubber Co Liner Helmet M-1 New Type Low Pressure |
 Saint Clair Rubber Co Liner Helmet M-1 New Type Low Pressure |
 Westinghouse Mfg Co Liner Helmet M-1 New Type High Pressure |
 Seaman Paper Co Liner Helmet M-1 New Type High Pressure |
 Capac Mfg Co Liner Helmet M-1 New Type High Pressure |
 Firestone Tire Co Liner Helmet M-1 New Type High Pressure |
 Mine Safety Appliances Liner Helmet M-1 New Type High Pressure |
 International Molded Plastics Inc. Liner Helmet M-1 New Type High Pressure |
 Inland Mfg Div Liner Helmet M-1 New Type High Pressure |
|
High Pressure Liners
| Firm | Copies produced |
|---|---|
| Westinghouse Electric and Mfg Co | 23,000,000 |
| Firestone Tire and Rubber Co | 7,500,000 |
| Capac Manufacturing Co | 4,300,000 |
| Mine Safety Appliances Co | 3,500,000 |
| Seaman Paper Co | 3,000,000 |
| International Molded Plastics Inc | 2,100,000 |
| Inland Division of General Motors | 1,900,000 |
The Counter Rivets
One last way to best identify and date your underhelmet is to look at your counter rivets. These metal parts tell a lot about the date of manufacture. Depending on their shape, the material used, as well as the paint applied, you could estimate the production date of your liner.
Below is a table that references the different elements related to the manufacturing date of your under-helmet.
| 1942 | 1942-1943 | 1943-1944 | 1944-1945 |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Rectangular unpainted metal |
Unpainted white metal "A" shape |
Painted Metal "A" Shape OD#3 |
Unpainted bronzed metal "A" shape |
Conclusion
There are several elements that can be used to date an under-helmet. Whether it is the materials used to make the shell, or the different elements that make up the interior and its suspensions, it is relatively easy to estimate the date of manufacture of the liner. Not forgetting the easily identifiable stamp on the bottom, on the inside face.
Considering the manufacturing carried out during the Second World War, there is a good chance that your helmet was produced by the Westinghouse firm between 1942 and the end of the conflict. Of nearly 51,000,000 units, Westinghouse produced no less than 45%, or nearly 23,000,000 of them.
If you have any difficulty in dating and identifying your under-helmet, please do not hesitate to contact us , we will be happy to help you.
6 comments
Bonjour, je possède un eye-liner casque américain je pense parachutiste pourriez-vous m’aider à l’identifier s’il vous plaît
Bonjour,
on me propose un liner type US avec des sangles et accessoires identique aux modèles US mais il n’y a aucun poinçon au fond.
Avez vous des infos concernant ce modèle ?
Cordialement
bonjour je possede un liner bleu avec une bande blanche et graver a linterieur un triangle avec un haume merci cldt patrick
je posede un liner bleu avec une bande blanche et au milieu une boule marquer 10 bmet a l’interieut un triangleavec un haume en sont milieus un haume merci davance cldt patrick
Bonjour ! Super votre documentation en autres sur les liners US et très précise , bravo !! Je possède un Westinghouse , il a bien son marquage W et l’ovale en dessous le tout ds un rond mais curieusement il y a 3 chiffres au dessus du rond : 104 ? À quoi cela peut correspondre ? Un grand merci si vs pouviez m’apporter la précision. Cdlt