How to identify an M-1 liner?
The Identification of the Liner Helmet Steel M-1
In 1941, the Quartermaster adopted a completely new combat helmet, consisting of a heavy shell and a removable inner helmet. The inner part was officially named the Liner Helmet Steel M-1, and its main advantage was that it could be worn alone or with the shell, providing soldiers with a headgear option without the weight of the shell when not necessary.
A Little Throwback
In 1940, the American army reported that the M-1917A1 helmet, similar to the British model, was unsuitable for combat. Colonel HG Sydenham was tasked with developing a helmet that covered the entire head and did not obstruct soldiers' vision. Drawing inspiration from various civilian helmets, Sydenham created a light helmet with lines that fit into a protective steel shell, based on American football helmets of the time. The Riddell company owned the patent for this type of helmet, and the prototype called "TS-3" was entrusted to them for production.
The Liner Fiber Helmet M-1
In order to mass-produce the new helmet and its liner, the American army launched a call for tenders after buying the patent from the firm Riddell. Mc Cord Radiator Manufacturing Co, which already produced the M-1917A1 helmet for the army, joined forces with the Hawley Products Company to propose the production of liners. The latter manufactured tropical fiber helmets for the army and proposed a compressed fiber base liner, which was quickly approved by the army. The first series of nearly 1,000,000 liners was launched in 1941, with a total of almost 4,000,000 copies produced by 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 were fulfilled by the Chicago Quartermaster Depot.
Marine Corp Tropical Pith Helmet
| Contract number | Date of the contract |
| W-199-qm-1*488 | December 1941 |
| W-199-qm-24436 | March 1942 |
| W-199-qm-37570 | August 1942 |
1st type in compressed cardboard
US M1 “Hawley” Liner
The process was accomplished by gluing together two parts of compressed cardboard fibers, themselves soaked in an impermeable substance, and covered with fabric. The suspension structure initially developed by the firm Riddell Co, was made with the assembly of white rayon fabrics, fixed using riveted rectangular support plates.
The helmet liner's brown leather chinstrap was also riveted directly to the inner sides, making it impossible to remove if needed.
Leather chinstrap rivet
A canvas strap is attached around the entire circumference of the helmet with 6 rectangular brass rivets. Three straps fixed with the band 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 helmet liner can be adjusted.
The canvas headband is equipped with a second leather headband fixed with six press studs. 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 counter-rivets of rectangular shape was replaced by steel models in the shape of “A”.
The straps that make up the inside of the helmet were also changed, made of cotton color OD#3. The inner strap was also changed to allow adjustment of the head circumference. This second type made of compressed cardboard will mark the end of the manufacture of helmet liners with this material considered far too fragile.
Liner Helmet M-1 New Type
Interior view of the Liner Helmet M-1 New Type
It is from November 1942 that the Liner Fiber Helmet M1 will be judged as Limited Standard (stop production and distribution until end of stocks).
It was at this time that the army launched a new call for tenders in order to manufacture more resistant and more quickly produced helmet liners. An order will be launched with the production of nearly 600 high-pressure molded copies 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”. With the war raging, orders will be 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 model molded at low pressure.
Between July 1942 and August 1945, the Westinghouse firm manufactured no less than 5 variants of high-pressure helmet liners mixing the different internal suspension systems and materials.
| 1st Type | Variant 1st Type | 2nd type | 3rd Kind | 4th type |
| Rectangular counter-rivets | White metal "A" shaped backing rivets | White metal "A" shaped backing rivets | "A"-shaped counter-rivets in white metal painted in OD3 | Bronzed metal "A" shaped counter-rivets |
| Suspension in white rayon fabric | Suspension in white rayon fabric | 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 by press stud | Non-adjustable headband fixed by press stud | Adjustable headband | Adjustable headband | Adjustable headband |
Hallmarks
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
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
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 Motor
1,900,000
Counter Rivets
A final way to best identify and date your helmet liner is to look at your counter rivets. These metal parts say 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.
You will find below a table that references the different elements related to the date of manufacture of your helmet liner.
| 1942 | 1942-1943 | 1943-1944 | 1944-1945 |
| Rectangular in unpainted metal | "A" shape in unpainted white metal | "A" shape painted metal OD#3 | "A" shape in unpainted bronzed metal |
Conclusion
Several elements make it possible to date an helmet liner. Whether it is the materials used to manufacture the bomb, or the various elements that make up the interior and its lines, it is relatively easy to estimate the date of manufacture of the liner. Without forgetting the easily identifiable punch at the bottom, on the inside face.
In view of the manufacturing carried out during the Second World War, there is a good chance that your helmet liner was produced by the Westinghouse firm between 1942 and the end of the conflict. Of nearly 51,000,000 copies, Westinghouse produced no less than 45%, or nearly 23,000,000 of them.
If you are having difficulty dating and identifying your helmet liner, 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