This original WW2 U.S. M1 helmet shell still has the original paint on the exterior. 

All that was added to the M1 helmet shell was hand painted captains bars on the front and 2nd Rangers emblem on the back. 

Inside the helmet was repainted painted also .

Same type of helmet would have been worn by Captain Miller of the 2nd Ranger Battalion as seen in Saving Private Ryan.

The 2nd Rangers Battalion, and the 5th Ranger Battalion were both formed on April 1, 1943 at Camp Forrest, Tennesse.  Activated September, 1943 they were then shipped to the U.S. to prepare for Operation Overlord (D Day).

During D-Day the operated as part of six Ranger Battalions.  

Along with the 225 Rangers, Dog, Easy and Fox Companies of the 2nd Rangers were assigned in aiding with the assault on Point Du Hoc. Several landing craft capsized with many Rangers drowning.  The remaining 190 Rangers were saved and participated in the Point du Hoc attack.  Though they planned to land at the cliffs at 0600 hours, they landed an hour later due to a navigational error.

This error cost the Rangers as they no longer held the element of surprize and during the attack only 90 Rangers were still standing 2 days after fierce fighting.

Meanwhile, 2nd Rangers Able, Baker, and Charlie Companies landed on the beaches of Omaha.  Along with the 5th Rangers, 1st Infantry Division and 29th Infantry Division they suffered incredible losses.  In the end they did meet their D-Day objectives.

The 2nd Rangers continued on to the Battle of Brest, the Battle of Hurtgen Forest and Hill 400, Bergstein.

The battalion was deactivated after the war, together with the 5th and 6th Battalions.