US M2 HELMET EASY COMPANY AIRBORNE OFFICER'S HELMET WITH SWIVEL BALE

This is an original American WW2 M1 front seam helmet shell that has been refurbished with swivel bales added and aged M2 Paratrooper 1942 version chin strap. This helmet shell has been hand painted with the Ace of Spades of the 506th PIR, the Captain's bars on the front and the vertical Officer's bar. 

The white strip on the back of the helmet serves as a visual cue for the wearer's rank.  A vertical bar is typically worn by an Officer where a horizontal bar by a non-commissioned Officer.

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.

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.