493 - United States, World War II.

United States, World War II. Rare USM1 helmet from the 327th Glider Infantry Regiment of the legendary 101st Airborne Division. The shell is stamped with lot number 665A, indicating it was manufactured by McCord around 1943; it features a welded front rim, fixed ear flaps, and 0D3-colored chin straps with steel buckles. The shell has a rust-speckled patina and retains 70% of its original cork-based paint and markings. It bears a large-scale clover on each side—the same design used for the “Normandy” helmet—painted white, identifying the 327th GIR. The owner’s laundry number, “W 2319,” is stenciled in black along the long side of the chin strap and hand-painted in white on the shell. It comes with its original “Firestone”-manufactured liner, with no insignia on the exterior, complete with all its straps and a small leather chin strap. An interesting detail: the owner used a white container sling to tie the straps of the interior suspension. The exterior of the liner retains 90% of its factory khaki paint with traces of dirt. Complete. A beautiful set in its original condition, never touched or cleaned. (Signs of wear and normal use; in fairly good condition).