Casque Complet Infanterie - Original McCord 501A vue de 3/4 avant droite

Infantry Helmet - Original McCord 501A "Doc"

Name: Infantry Helmet - Original McCord 501A "Doc"
Brand: Mon Casque M1
SKU: CC-INF-OR-MC501A-DOC
Price: 449.00 EUR
Availability: OutOfStock

449,00€

American infantry M1 helmet consisting of a McCord shell with fixed loops (lot 501A, not very visible) and a Westinghouse liner painted in the colors of a medic. This set has been restored by Mon Casque M1 to early 1943 production standards and patinated for an aged effect. Each element has been reconditioned or replaced with faithful reproductions, in order to restore the appearance and configuration of a helmet from the first period of the war.

About

Original McCord shell with fixed loops, restored and repainted in Olive Drab No. 3 with hand-painted medic markings. The front hoop and welded fasteners correspond to the first production from 1943. Batch 501A, barely visible under the paint, confirms an early war production. The applied patina restores the appearance of a helmet that has seen the field while preserving the integrity of the metal.

Westinghouse liner, fully reconditioned and painted in the same medic colors as the shell. It includes an OD3 cotton canvas suspension, steel counter rivets, and a headband with a black buckle. The non-adjustable neckband and folded supports reflect the typical configuration of 1943 liners. The leather chinstrap marked with the "H" stamp, fitted with black buckles, has been reproduced to the original specifications.

1.9 kg

Heavy Helmet: Steel
Chin strap: Cotton
Buckles: Brass

Original McCord shell with fixed loops, Lot 501A, restored to its typical early 1943 production condition. The front hoop and welded fasteners illustrate early versions of the M1 helmet. Missing parts have been replaced with reproductions made to period specifications. The restoration retains the characteristic shape and relief of McCord manufactures of this period.

The helmet liner is one size, it is nevertheless adjustable in depth as well as in head circumference.

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Helmet Shell Details

Painting Infantry Helmet - Original McCord 501A "Doc"

Olive Drab No. 3 paint was applied by hand before the red nurse crosses were made, using the same methods as those used on the original helmets. The aging process was reproduced with a light patina, balancing realism with respect for the material. This finish gives the helmet a period appearance while ensuring lasting protection for the shell and liner.

Texture Infantry Helmet - Original McCord 501A "Doc"

The texture was recreated using a mixture of paint and fine cork, reproducing the matte, rough surface typical of 1943 McCord helmets. This grainy finish provided reduced glare and improved grip at the time. The added patina enhances the helmet's authentic character while respecting the original texture.

Chinstrap Infantry Helmet - Original McCord 501A "Doc"

Reproduction chinstrap mounted on the original fixed loops, made of OD3 canvas with a flat brass buckle. This model corresponds to the first chinstraps used on M1 helmets before the introduction of mobile attachments. The slightly patinated finish harmoniously completes the ensemble, offering a realistic rendering consistent with the period represented.

Helmet Liner Details

Image description contre rivet acier non peint de sous casque US M1

Steel A Washer

From September 1942, we note a significant development in the design of this equipment: the washers adopt a triangular shape (so called "A Washer"). This modification aimed to ensure a better fit to the internal curvature of the helmet liner. These new washers were machined from coated steel. It is important to note that this technical change took place, with rare exceptions, simultaneously with the replacement of rayon with cotton in the manufacture of the suspension system.

Non-adjustable Neckband

The neckband, now manufactured in khaki cotton following the abandonment of rayon, incorporated new specifications. These parts were now marked with ink (by stamping) to clearly indicate their size and manufacturer. The standardization of sizes, which took place in 1943, distinguished three categories: “small", "medium" And "large". As for the snap fasteners, they are mostly engraved with the words "United Carr", although one can come across pieces devoid of any inscription.

Black Loop Headband

From 1944, we observe a new evolution of the material: the adjustment loop was now manufactured in brass. This change of material was accompanied by a black anti-corrosion coating to ensure its durability. It is common to find that the headband is often attached lower than expected at the back. This field adaptation, carried out by the soldier himself, consisted of clipping the headband directly onto the neckband suspension. The objective of this homemade modification was probably to make the inner head rest more comfortable for the user. This practice illustrates the adjustments made by troops to improve the ergonomics of their standard equipment.

Neckband Support Returned

On the first liners, this short rear neckband support was made in white rayon. It served as an attachment point for the neck strap thanks to two pairs of female snap fasteners integrated. The attachment to the body of the liner was ensured by three rivets, with both ends of the headband being folded over before riveting. This initial design was quickly revised for reasons of durability and economy. Thus, from June 1942, the rayon was replaced by cotton, the process of folding the ends remaining unchanged. This change marked the beginning of the abandonment of rayon in suspension systems.

Image d'illustration du crochet de jugulaire en cuir de liner US M1 peint en noir.

Black Chin Strap Attachment

The second type of chinstrap represents a crucial development, becoming removableand no longer integral with the hull. To ensure this quick attachment, a triangular-shaped attachment hook is present at each end of the strap. On the model presented, this attachment triangle is black. It locks onto a male stud (similar to a garter belt system), securely riveted to the inner shell. These fastening studs could be made of brass or steel, and came with either a rounded or hollow tip. This mechanism offered unprecedented flexibility of use compared to the first fixed models.

Black Liner Chin Strap

From mid-1944, the chin strap hardware was standardized with new materials. The buckle, rivets and fasteners were now made of brass, a more resistant material. This brass was protected by a corrosion inhibitor coating to ensure better durability in the field. This change marked a quality improvement and the longevity of the fitting parts during the end of the conflict. However, once the war was over, production regressed to less expensive materials. Thus, the models post-war are recognizable by their buckles and rivets in black painted steel.

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Infantry Helmet - Original McCord 501A "Doc"

American nurses' helmets were an integral part of field medical equipment during World War II. Easily identifiable by their hand-painted red crosses, they were worn by medics accompanying infantry units on the front lines. This fixed loops model, produced by McCord in 1943 and paired with a Westinghouse liner, evokes the first engagements of American troops in Italy and the Pacific. Its faithful restoration, combined with a careful patina, restores the character and appearance of a helmet that served in operations.

Image_Ambiance_Casque_Complet_Infanterie_McCord_501A_-_Liner_Westinghouse

A bit of history

In this American factory, thousands of M1 helmets were pressed, inspected, and painted to equip the Allied forces. A symbol of American industrial ingenuity, the M1 helmet was mass-produced starting in 1941, combining manganese steel and technical innovation. This video demonstrates the intensity of the war effort mobilized on American soil.

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