Ingersoll M1-Para Helmet shell without Liner

An Ingersoll M1 Vietnam-era helmet (shell only, no liner) is recognizable by specific markings and characteristics from the production period between 1965 and 1968.

Key Features

• Heat Stamp: A four-digit number on the inside of the rim. Ingersoll helmets often feature the letter "I" before the number (e.g., I-8042).
• Rear Seam: The metal rim (trim) of the helmet joins at the back. On older WWII-era helmets, this seam was often at the front.
• Swivel Bales: The metal loops where the chinstraps are attached can hinge or move (swivel).
• Chinstraps: Although the liner is missing, the steel shell still has its chinstraps. In the paratrooper version (M1C), these straps feature extra snap fasteners to secure the shell to a specialized airborne liner.

Common Details

• Missing Liner: It is very common to find only the steel shell, as the plastic/composite inner helmets (liners) often degraded more quickly.