US Steel Pot from 1980's

Hello,
This is a steel pot that I have put a cover on and helmet band on. The chinstrap on it was original, and that was what I found strange. Has anyone else seen this type of chinstrap on this type helmet? The helmet liner band is dated 78. Thoughts? Also, is this the last chinstrap that was made for the steel pot? Thanks.
Andrew

That's LC-2 chinstraps, yes, it's made for M1 helmets. If I were you, I would give it a ERDL cover.

Mercenary25 wrote:That's LC-2 chinstraps, yes, it's made for M1 helmets. If I were you, I would give it a ERDL cover.

I did not know they made ERDL covers. Regardless, this is about the earliest helmet cover I have, and I've only seen two older ones in the course of 6 years believe it or not. So, if I'm understanding, this chinstrap was developed around the end of Vietnam?
Andrew

PS: On a side note, I'd really like to have a 6 Color Desert Helmet cover for this!!!

Nope, they developed it post-war. That's reason why you've seen some post-war M1 with vietnam chin straps. And about ERDL, yes, they did, but only in brown-dominated pattern/RDF (post-war early woodland pattern which looks much like brown-dominated ERDL). They started to use it late vietnam and continued until end of M1 helmet. You would have seen photos of Marines in 80's wearing woodland BDUs with ERDL/RDF helmet cover. There weren't much of woodland cover like yours being used to my knowledge.

6 color Desert camo cover was never made for M1. They only made for K-pots which were introduced during 80's which is time of transition from M1 to K-pots.

Mercenary25 wrote:Nope, they developed it post-war. That's reason why you've seen some post-war M1 with vietnam chin straps. And about ERDL, yes, they did, but only in brown-dominated pattern/RDF (post-war early woodland pattern which looks much like brown-dominated ERDL). They started to use it late vietnam and continued until end of M1 helmet. You would have seen photos of Marines in 80's wearing woodland BDUs with ERDL/RDF helmet cover. There weren't much of woodland cover like yours being used to my knowledge.

6 color Desert camo cover was never made for M1. They only made for K-pots which were introduced during 80's which is time of transition from M1 to K-pots.

Thanks for the info...are you sure they did not make 6 color M1 Covers? Since the Kevlar was introduced early 80's and the 6 color pattern was introduced late 70's there should have been one made in that time frame. I will need to look for the RDF helmet cover.
Andrew

They made choc chip M1 covers.... but really really rare!

Here's a pic:


And here's my M1 with an RDF ERDL cover

Wow philip! I didn't even know that there was some six color covers made for M1!

Andrew, Your helmet is what I was issued in basic in 91. K pots were for active units and reserves.. some NG units still had M1's in the 90's.. Most the AFR here in Ohio still had M-1's with camo covers. I got my K-pot in AIT and took it to Kuwait. Got another in Ft. Riley, then another at Ft Hayes in the reserves. I had to turn in every time I transfered of course. I still have my 1st K pot. I found a second one to give them..LOL

Hey Andrew,

We made our own M1 covers out of the choc chip,or plain tan, fabric.

I dont remember HOW we did it, I think we just cut a piece big 'nuff to cover the helmet and fold under-some other FOG may remember HOW better than I. i only had one for a few months luckily,brfore I got a K-pot;)