US WWII 2ND RANGERS ORIGINAL M1 HELMET SHELL AND LINER REFURBISHED

This is an original WW2 US M1 helmet shell with front seam and swivel bales that has been refurbished.  

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

This is a completely restored original M1 helmet liner that we clean and repaint the outside then refit the interior with quality parts and accessories and in accordance with the original assembly. This M1 liner also has the hand painted captains bars on the front and 2nd Rangers emblem on the back. We only have 2 of these 2nd Rangers helmets with WW2 original liners and shells. The M1 liner is a original WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC COMPANY and the other is MINE SAFETY APPLIANCE (MSA).

The M1 liners could have wear on the rim, minor warping, small nicks, chips or cracks. We repair the larger imperfections. They are over 70 years old so will not be brand new. 

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.

MINE SAFETY APPLIANCE (MSA)

Manufactured in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania this high pressure manufactured M1 helmet liner is identified by an embossed "MSA" in the crown.  Mine Safety Appliance started M1 helmet liner delivery to the US Army in September 1942. They produced approximately between 2,000,000 - 4,000,000 M1 helmet liners and discontinued production around August 17, 1945, when the war ended.

WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC COMPANY

 Manufactured in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania this high pressure manufactured M1 helmet liner is identified by an embossed "W" in the crown (which is still Westinghouse's logo to this day).  Westinghouse was the largest M-1 helmet liner producer and had two production divisions: Micarta and Bryant Electric. The Micarta Division produced about 13,000,000 M1 helmet liners and the Bryant Electric Division about 10,000,000. Westinghouse Electric Company started M-1 helmet liner delivery in May 1942.  Westinghouse did have a contract to produce airborne liners and converted an unknown amount to airborne.