M1C helmet
The M1C helmet was a variant of the
Like the M2, its most visible differences from the standard infantry M1 helmet was the liner.
Another difference of the M1C was the chinstraps (this was seen on the M2). The chinstraps found on the M2 and M1C both had a button snap on the end so as to be fastened to the liner.[3]
Despite the numerous differences between the M1C and the standard M1 helmet, the shell of the M1C is practically identical to standard swivel bail infantry helmets, making a concrete identification of a helmet as an M1C difficult. There's an argument to be made that the important part of an M1C is actually just a liner with the four-point chinstrap that can slip into any M1 helmet.
The M1C would continue in US service after World War II, with a new split-fabric chinstrap introduced between the Korean War and the Vietnam War not dissimilar to the one seen on the later PASGT helmet, but retaining the belt loop-style chinstrap connection. The M1C would remain in service until the adoption of PASGT, though the M1C would remain a fairly uncommon sight after Korea. They do turn up in various non-airborne units in Vietnam photography, however, suggesting that outside of jump-rated units they were treated like any other M1 and that they were perhaps more common than some thought.
References
- ^ Jacob (2015-04-04). "Geronimo's helmet, a short history of the U.S. M2". Alexander and Sons German Helmet Restoration. Retrieved 2021-07-19.
- ^ a b Sales, Top Pots-WWII US M.-1 Helmets, Liners and Reproduction Uniform. "HOW TO IDENTIFY US WWII M-1 INFANTRY & M-1C PARATROOPER HELMETS". Top Pots - WWII US M-1 Helmets, Liners and Reproduction Uniform Sales. Retrieved 2021-07-19.
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: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "U.S. M1C Paratroop Helmet with Pathfinder Insignia #44 – Battlefield Museum". Retrieved 2021-07-19.