Early-WWII General Fibre Co. 'Hawley' M1 Helmet Liner With Rayon Suspension

This original WWII helmet liner is quite rare in that it is not produced by Hawley, but rather its subcontractor, General Fibre Co., as evident by the 'G' ink stamp in the liner's interior dome. This manufacturer produced a total of 120,000 helmet liners during the war, only 20,000 of which were this first variation. This liner features non-painted steel rectangular washers, a first pattern rayon suspension, and a wonderfully intact stationary leather liner strap. These features date the liner's production to mid-1942. The rayon suspension is strong and intact. It has recently been completed with an original rayon headband and neckband; both match the liner's suspension perfectly. This liner is in exceptional condition and is likely one of only a handful of comparable examples still remaining. It would display quite nicely when paired with an early-war fixed loop helmet shell.