WW2 US Fixed Bales , Front Seam M1 Helmet With Hawley Liner

A rare example of a totally 'always been together' early production M1 helmet with front seam/fixed bales & Hawley Fibre Liner this the first American helmet liner produced for use with the M1 helmet.Helmet shell has raised bar brass buckle that has blackened with age & early lot number to steel of 71A which dates to 1941. Several changes were made to the Hawley liner the first being its silver rayon webbing replaced by a standard khaki colour.This example is of the earliest first manufacture with silver rayon webbing & fixed chinstrap rivet.Black ink stamped 'FIBRE M-1' visible to interior.Outside is overall good with some light water marks to OD twill material. Fraying around edges.A rare part of early M1 helmet history.Many US assault troops who landed on the beaches of Normandy on D-Day 6th June 1944 were wearing this configuration of early issue helmet having been issued them in the USA before coming to England & training on the run up to the invasion.