US M2 HELMET 506TH PARACHUTIST 2ND BATTALION EASY COMPANY 101ST AIRBORNE

This is an original American WW2 M1 front seam helmet shell that has been refurbished with D-Bales added and aged M2 Paratrooper 1942 version chin strap. This helmet shell has been repainted With the Ace of Spades of the 506th PIR and the NCO (non-commissioned officer) bar on the helmet.

The M2 was worn by American soldiers in World War ll, this helmet was widely used by American Paratroopers. It is also commonly referred to as the M2 D-Bale Paratrooper Helmet, worn by many soldiers in Normandy on D-Day, This helmet was worn by combat troops and parachute infantrymen a like but primarily issued to paratroopers. These helmets were fitted with liners, neckband, sweatband, chin cup and leather chin strap.

The rest of the US Army used the M-1 Helmet.

Helmet markings for the U.S. Paratroopers: 

The legend began in World War II, when the 101st Airborne Division created tactical helmet insignias to help reassemble the paratroopers on the ground using playing card symbols.  The symbols were readily visible on helmets which was expected to help facilitate quick re-assembly.  The 101^st Ace of Spades was not only used to represent good luck, due to its fortunate connotations in card playing, but was considered a death card for the enemy.

Tick marks on helmets at the 12, 3, 6 and 9 o'clock positions, indicated regiment units as follows:

Top (12 o'clock): Division (HQ) Artillery
3 o'clock: 1st Battalion
6 o'clock: 2nd Battalion
9 o'clock: 3rd Battalion.

Top (12 o'clock): Division (HQ) Artillery
3 o'clock: 321st Glider Field Artillery (GFA) Battalion
6 o'clock: 377th Parachute Field Artillery (PFA) Battalion
9 o'clock: 907th GFA Battalion.

The 463rd PFA Battalion, attached just prior to the Battle of the Bulge, wore two parallel tics below the circle at 6 o'clock. The 326th Medical Company wore a white Geneva Cross. The 81st Airborne Anti-Aircraft and Anti-Tank Artillery Battalion wore a white triangle, The Division Recon platoon wore a white "R" and the divisional band wore a white lyre.