The M-1 Helmet, for the old vets

[Alamo]

Maybe this should be in the military thread, but I'm already here so...

I wore one of these, with the paratrooper style chin straps, at The Airborne School in 1981. I don't recall the weight being a problem, but the suspension straps inside seemed to burn into my skull as the day wore on. I didn't realize at the time that the last steel pots were made in 1967, and the DoD was living on those, and possibly WWII era pots (with refurbishment/replacement of the inner liner and webbing) through the 80s until the Fritz took over.

[video=youtube;UzEgRtBl_lM]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzEgRtBl_lM[/video]

He mentions the Metropolitan Museum in the design of the helmet. An article on that here:

https://www.metmuseum.org/blogs/now...ord-dean-and-helmet-design-during-world-war-i

 

[DoggyDaddy]

I do like the cat camouflage.

 

[Mr Evilwrench]

I have one marked "1972". Mirabile dictu, it actually fits my cranium. I had a heck of a time finding a PASGT one that would.

 

[OurDee]

I never thought the helmet was heavy. Fit my melon OK.

 

[Brad69]

I was the last person in the Company to turn in my “steel pot” around 1989-90!

The M1 was fairly easy on the head and you had a portable wash basin.

The original “Kevlar” sucked very heavy no support, We used to buy kits that had a better sweat band and suspension with pads. I bet 50% of military neck injuries are due to that heavy piece of crap.

The MITCH/ACH and newer designs are leaps and bounds better, you can wear them all day with no issues.

 

[HoughMade]

At basic in 1990, we wore steel pots for initial rifle training and were issued K-pots at some point towards the end.

As an aside, about half of us (myself included) were issued M16-A1s.

 

[vvet762]

I remember wearing a steel pot. It was heavy but when the bullets started to fly in Nam, I was glad to have it. I climbed inside of it too often.

 

[KellyinAvon]

I never thought the helmet was heavy. Fit my melon OK.
View attachment 92042

Air Force 2-striper, green fatigues, boots bloused, M-17 on your left hip, OD green field jacket with subdued name and USAF tapes. Badge above USAF, circa 1987-1988?

 

[Thor]

Air Force 2-striper, green fatigues, boots bloused, M-17 on your left hip, OD green field jacket with subdued name and USAF tapes. Badge above USAF, circa 1987-1988?

You forgot the stereo in the background...

 

[Thor]

I put a 1" chunk of foam between the web straps and the helmet liner for all day comfort.

 

[KellyinAvon]

You forgot the stereo in the background...

I had 8-Track later than most so I'm not the best source on stereos Looking at the curtain in the background? That look like a Geneva Convention violation.

 

[Thor]

I had 8-Track later than most so I'm not the best source on stereos Looking at the curtain in the background? That look like a Geneva Convention violation.

I've still got a working 8 track stereo in the garage...and a box of tapes...

Pink Floyd Dark Side of the Moon
Led Zeppelin The Song Remains the Same
KISS The Originals and Love Gun
Frank Zappa Sleep Dirt
Uriah Heep High and Mighty
Bad Company Burning Sky
Aerosmith Draw the Line

And a few more that I don't remember even listening to.

Now if I can just get my reel to reel working again...

 

[Thor]

Looking at the curtain in the background? That look like a Geneva Convention violation.

That's a violation against humanity...and eyesight.

 

[purdue98]

Got mine issued to me in 1981 at Ft. Sill OK
We had to wear the head liner (painted silver) when we did our patrols on post or when we had fire duty in the barracks.
I used mine to heat water to shave in the field and certainly used it as a seat often.

 

[johntheplinker]

Do I. Although being a tanker mine was very rarely used as a hat. Bucket, wash pan, cook pot, and a few other purposes were its main uses.

 

[actaeon277]

First, the History Guy is great.

Second, at least I didn't have to worry about bullet and artillery fragments.

 

[HoughMade]

First, the History Guy is great.

Second, at least I didn't have to worry about bullet and artillery fragments.

I'll take my exposure to rain and mud...and the theoretical risk of bullets and shrapnel (in my case), any day compared to what you did.

 

[actaeon277]

I'll take my exposure to rain and mud...and the theoretical risk of bullets and shrapnel (in my case), any day compared to what you did.

Just different types of insanity.

 

[actaeon277]

I'll take my exposure to rain and mud...and the theoretical risk of bullets and shrapnel (in my case), any day compared to what you did.

Cause you're worried about this?
https://www.wearethemighty.com/hist...-undersea-mountain?rebelltitem=1#rebelltitem1

 

[HoughMade]

Cause you're worried about this?
https://www.wearethemighty.com/hist...-undersea-mountain?rebelltitem=1#rebelltitem1

No...because I didn't want to have to worry about something like that.