Monthly Archives: October 2012

M1C US Paratrooper Rear Seam Helmet with Westinghouse Airborne Liner

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M1C US Airborne Rear Seam Paratrooper Helmet

This M1C paratrooper helmet is a later produced M1C than the one that was previously posted.  This is indicated by the rear seam and the olive drab colored chinstraps.  The liner is a Westinghouse paratrooper liner.

This helmet and liner was found together by a picker about a year ago.  This helmet is not identified, but I was still very happy to add this helmet to my collection. It has become very hard to find these helmets in excellent like this one is.

WWII Airborne Paratrooper M1C Helmet with Westinghouse Liner

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WW2 M1C Paratrooper Helmet

This M1C paratrooper helmet is an earlier version of the M1C, as evidenced by the front seam and the khaki colored chinstraps.  The liner is a Westinghouse factory made paratrooper liner.

This helmet is part of a larger grouping that was purchased directly from the Veteran’s family, by one of my friends, after the Veteran passed away.  The family did not know much about his service during WWII, but from the documents, paperwork, insignia, and uniform items in the grouping, it appears that he was a member of the 101st Airborne Division and probably joined the Division late in the War.  I am still researching this group, when I learn more about the wartime service of this paratrooper, I will post the rest of the grouping.

Although the 101st Airborne Division often painted their helmets and liners with markings indicating the unit on the sides, period photos indicate that sometimes they did not paint their helmets.  I have another 101st helmet, a D Bale with liner that was purchased directly from a 506 PIR Veteran, that is also not painted with any 101st unit marks.

WWII US Airborne Paratrooper Jump Boots Dated 1942

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Classic WW2 jump boots.

These WW2 paratrooper jump boots exhibit all of the typical features that are seen in World War Two era US jump boots.  They are brown, have the slant heel, and have the reinforcements sewn into the ankle area.  They also have the leather laces that were preferred by WW2 era paratroopers.  This is an early pair, they are dated 1942 inside.

After the US Airborne forces were first formed, it was decided that paratroopers needed a special boot to help protect their feet and ankles from the shock of a parachute landing.  The standard US infantry boot of the period was a short leather boot that did not give the required support, especially to the ankle area.  Thus, jump boots were made longer and had extra support sewn into the ankle area.  Additionally, the front of the heels were slanted to help prevent the boots from getting caught in the parachute lines as the chute deployed.

Jump boots became one of the iconic symbols of the US paratroopers during World War Two.  They were worn in combat and also worn as part of the dress uniform.