This is an original mid-WWII U.S. Schlueter manufactured fixed loop M1 helmet shell. The helmet's heat stamp of 165A is just five lots prior to the first recorded swivel loop, which was manufactured in November 1943. A December 1943 shipment of Schlueter helmets were delivered to the Ordnance Department, only to be discovered with latent defects. Either in transit or storage, the helmets’ brims developed cracks. The Ordnance Department officials then marked the cracked helmets with an ink stamp, reading “WAR REJECT”. While not insignificant, this only affected up to 4% of the helmets that were delivered, making this helmet a relatively uncommon piece. This example features the same brim crack and subsequently applied “WAR REJECT” stamping. It retains its original factory paint, cork texture, and flat brass-buckled OD#3 (khaki) chinstraps. This helmet would pair quite nicely with a liner with green-painted steel A-washers.