Casque Complet Parachutiste 517th PRCT coque McCord liner Firestone Battle Battered Mon Casque M1 vue de 3/4 avant.

Complete Paratrooper Helmet - Original McCord 517th PRCT

Name: Complete Paratrooper Helmet - Original McCord 517th PRCT
Brand: Mon Casque M1
SKU: CC-PARA-OR-MC729B-517PRCT
Price: 449.00 EUR
Availability: OutOfStock

449,00€

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Complete M1 helmet with a McCord shell, lot number 729B, equipped with fixed loops and accompanied by a restored Firestone liner.

The shell has been repainted in the colors of the 517th Parachute Regimental Combat Team, with a rigger chinstrap, a characteristic configuration of American airborne troops of this unit. The battle-battered finish recreates the appearance of equipment worn in operations.

About

The shell is a McCord production, lot number 729B, a major American manufacturer of the M1 helmet during the Second World War. It is equipped with fixed loops, characteristic of McCord productions from this early series, welded directly to the shell without an articulation system.

The liner is a restored Firestone model, featuring unrolled neckband support edges consistent with production from that era. The counter-rivets are green, and the neckband is medium-sized. The headband is fitted with a green buckle and early green clips, elements consistent with early to mid-production Firestone assemblies. The liner chinstrap is leather, with a black buckle and black H-stamped studs.

1.9 kg

Heavy Helmet: Steel
Chin strap: Cotton
Buckles: Brass

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

Free shipping from €150

Personalization within 3 to 4 weeks

Flexible returns

Helmet Shell Details

Casque Complet Parachutiste 517th PRCT coque McCord liner Firestone Battle Battered Mon Casque M1 image ambiance peinture.

Painting Complete Paratrooper Helmet - Original McCord 517th PRCT

The shell has been repainted and camouflaged in the documented configuration of a soldier from the 517th Parachute Regimental Combat Team, an airborne unit notably engaged in Italy, Southern France, and the Ardennes.

Casque Complet Parachutiste 517th PRCT coque McCord liner Firestone Battle Battered Mon Casque M1 image ambiance texture.

Texture Complete Paratrooper Helmet - Original McCord 517th PRCT

The McCord shell has a textured, granular surface, obtained by applying cork mixed with paint, a process designed to reduce glare and noise. The whole thing is patinated in its "Battle Battered" finish.

Casque Complet Parachutiste 517th PRCT coque McCord liner Firestone Battle Battered Mon Casque M1 image ambiance jugulaire.

Chinstrap Complete Paratrooper Helmet - Original McCord 517th PRCT

The shell is fitted with a rigger-type chinstrap, a specific configuration associated with the 517th PRCT, designed to provide enhanced stability during jumps. This variant differs from standard paratrooper chinstraps in its attachment system and double-buckle adjustment. The loops are of the fixed type, welded to the shell, characteristic of McCord productions in this series. The assembly shows a consistent mounting in accordance with the practices of the 517th Parachute Regimental Combat Team in the field.

Helmet Liner Details

Image description contre rivet peint vert olive drab de sous casque US M1

Painted Steel A Washer

Since 1943, the steel washers underwent a modification of their surface finish. They were now painted green, replacing previous chemical coatings. Although this paint offered a less effective protection against corrosion and wear, it was adopted. This decision was mainly motivated by economic considerations. The painted finish was indeed a much less expensive solution to implement. This change illustrates a preference for the cost reduction of production.

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.

Green Loop Headband

From 1942, the headband was equipped with a new stamped steel buckle. This buckle, painted green for protection and camouflage purposes, improved the fit. At the same time, the fixing clamps were also revised, as the first model was deemed too flexible. The new clamps received a stamped bead additional near their end. This technical modification had the effect of making the clips more rigid, thus ensuring better closure and more secure fixation. This marked an important step towards making the suspension system more reliable.

Non-Returned Neckband Support

After October 1942, a seemingly insignificant change was made to the making of the headbands. From now on, the ends of these bands were no longer folded before being riveted to the liner. This change, however minimal in the manufacturing process, had significant logistical repercussions. By eliminating this folding, the army achieved a substantial savings of raw material. This simple measure made it possible to save nearly two million meters of suspension strap. This demonstrates the major impact that small optimizations can have on the resource management on a large scale.

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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Complete Paratrooper Helmet - Original McCord 517th PRCT

The 517th Parachute Regimental Combat Team was formed in 1943 and saw its first combat during the Italian Campaign in the spring of 1944, before participating in the airborne landings of Operation Dragoon in August 1944 in southern France. The unit then fought in the Ardennes during the winter of 1944-1945, where it suffered heavy losses against the German offensive, particularly in the Manhay sector. The paratroopers of the 517th used rigger-type chin strap equipment. Recognized for its combat tenacity despite reduced numbers, the unit went through three major theaters of operation in less than a year, illustrating the intensive commitment of American airborne troops during the last year of the conflict in Europe.