Early-WWII ID'd Navy Camo-Painted Fixed Loop M1 Helmet & General Fibre Co. Liner
This incredible early-WWII U.S.N. camouflaged helmet and liner are both ID'd to Lieutenant Fabian T. McAllister, serial number 72657. View the Veteran's Information section for more details regarding the sailor's extensive 30-year service record. The McCord manufactured fixed loop helmet shell's heat stamp of 62B dates its production to approximately January 1942. The helmet showcases an original camouflage paint scheme applied in the same manner as the USS West Point, with three different shades of blue-gray paint, divided by a black line. In addition to the camouflage paint, it retains its original cork texture and khaki chinstraps. The chinstraps exhibit the early cast-brass buckle, carried over from the M1917A1 helmet. The helmet's early style fixed loops remain strong and intact. The liner is quite rare in that it is not produced by Hawley, but rather by 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. The liner features non-painted steel rectangular washers, a first pattern rayon suspension, and a wonderfully intact stationary leather liner strap, dating the liner's production to mid-1942. The rayon suspension is strong and intact. It comes complete with its original rayon headband and neckband. View the U.S. Militaria Forum for a detailed discussion on this one-of-a-kind helmet set.
Veteran's Information
Benton Harbor, Michigan resident, Fabian T. McAllister, serial number 72657, enlisted in the United States Naval Reserves in June 1932, well before the outbreak of the war. Lt. McAllister, a communications specialist, boarded the USS West Point on October 10, 1942 and disembarked on October 31, 1944. It was during this timeframe Lt. McAllister acquired and personalized his helmet set. Interestingly, the steel shell is named to an additional sailor, James McKeon. According to USN muster rolls, McKeon disembarked the USS West Point on September 30, 1942, just days before McAllister's arrival. Lt. McAllister likely procured McKeon’s left-behind helmet upon his arrival. In the span of just one year, Lt. McAllister served aboard 12 ships and crossed the equator 24 times. He eventually rose to the rank of Commander and retired from the Navy in 1962. The new owner will receive 33 files, extensively detailing McAllister's military service record (available below).
