UBB.threads Forums General Militaria United States Militaria 82nd Airborne Helmet?

I had posted some pix of this some time ago and it was some time before I was able to add more pix and it got lost in the shuffle. Is this WWII Airborne and is it possible to find information on the man whose name is inside the helmet? The name looks like 'Collins B. Hughes' and serial number U.S. 52048057. It's got pix of the paint, chinstrap and buckle.

Thanks,
Steve

Here's another picture of the helmet.

Picture #3

4th and final picture

Steven,

US 52048057 is not a WWII era Army serial number. I remember reading that serial numbers with the U.S. prefix (draftee) beginning with 5 were Vietnam era.

early airborne helmets had an elliptical loop "C" style chinstrap loop with usually broke easily,as they were welded directly to he helmet interior later they were replaced with the style seen here,so if i were in the market for an airborne helmet,this is not one that i would consider,,Robert

The "D" bale airborne "M2" helmets were replaced by the "M1-c" swivel bails for that purpose, but I think that happened in late October of 1943. So plenty of WW2 swivel bail airborne helmets were used in combat. The "rear seam" on this one dates it to after Nov of 43 or Aug 44 depending who you read.

what I think dates this helmet to after WW2 is the color and texture of paint finish. The paint is a bit more "green" than the WW2 color, and the texture looks more like sand than cork. Many WW2 made helmets were refitted, refurbed & reused all the way into the 1980s.

I would say this was a ww2 made helmet that was used into Korea in the 1950s.

Thanks guys. I don't do much of the US stuff. This was found as a shelf filler for $15. I've had it for years. I saw a pic of the triangle in Chris Arnolds book. It was part of the 86 second airbourne of sorts. You guys are better at this area than I. Thanks so much, about what
year dose the helmet fall in by pics?

steve,

I would say the helmet itself dates from 44, and it was re-used later on. Sometimes you will find these jump helmets with 3 or 4 names inside from different soldiers.

Well, just for the info, the Hellenic Army still uses the M1 helmet in full scale, also the inner plastic part is much lower quality than the US one used both in WW2 and 'nam era.