The M-1 steel helmet was a revolutionary design, with a removable liner housing the suspension and sizing system. It quickly became THE iconic image of the unshaven, dogfaced GI of WW2. The earliest M-1s featured fixed chinstrap bales at each side, but these often broke under hard use, and so were replaced by more practical swivel bales in 1943. This US Army USMC Marine WW2 FIXED BALE M-1 STEEL COMBAT HELMET is in excellent condition, with a dent in the back right edge rim, a few spots of whitish soiling at the right crown, some light scattered scuffing, scratching, and spot darkening around the exterior, a dark ring around the interior lip, a small spot of brownish and whitish soiling at the inner left chinstrap, and with some light scattered dusting and age wear evident (ALL pictured). Otherwise, the helmet is in excellent shape, with absolutely no cracking or other damage to the tough steel construction, which retains approximately 93% of the crisp, original corked OD exterior finish. Most interestingly, it boasts a front seam and fixed bales, sports beautiful sewn khaki web chinstraps with a fully functional "raised bar" hook and point darkened brass closure buckle, and is marked with the lot number "388C" at the underside of the front lip. A beautiful example of a rare, original US Army USMC Marine WW2 FIXED BALE M-1 STEEL COMBAT HELMET. No liner included. With apologies to our valued international clients, we must restrict bidding to US bidders only. Now celebrating over 15 years on eBay. Bid with confidence and please view our other great military and aviation classics, including a rare, original US Army WW2 CAVALRY JEEP HARLEY WLA M-1 GARAND LEATHER RIFLE SCABBARD in good condition, boasting a fully intact darkened metal charging handle cover at top, and marked at the upper right front with its maker, the famous "S. FROEHLICH CO.".