The helmet portrays a classic World War II configuration of dark olive drab textured paint and front seam stainless steel rim. The exterior paint is in superb condition, but the smooth interior has rusted with age. On each side are the welded “fixed” chinstrap loops (“fixed” meaning immobile) in the signature McCord square design. The chinstrap is connected by a flat brass buckle and sharp “J” hook. The McCord lot stamp under the visor is illegible. The liner’s condition shows a considerable amount of service. There is a CAPAC dome stamp underneath the olive drab no.3 Herringbone twill cotton webbing. The suspension is fastened to the liner by green painted “A” washers that were introduced in 1943.¹ At the rear is a “small” snap-on neckband made by the “M.M. Co.” The liner also has a later model removable chinstrap. The removable headband is the early type that adjusts in the back by a double wire buckle. The leather has darkened with age, but the initials “D.J.” and the numbers “9404” are still legible and indicate the owners “laundry” number (a “laundry” number refers to the first letter of the soldier’s last name and the last four digits of his serial number). There is another “laundry” number hand-painted along the left side in white paint. It reads “K0590” and suggests that this helmet had more than one owner. Without knowing the McCord lot number, this helmet can be placed with a 1943 production date as the shell and liner components fit into this year.

Country: United States	War Period: World War II
Garment Type: Infantry Helmet	Year Made: 1943
Manufacturer: McCord Radiator and Manufacturing Company
Identification: USH-51-0408