Hey guys,
Been thinking about refurbing an M1 helmet for ages..I've now found the perfect M1 helmet for a project.
As it stands at the moment its a rear seamed swivel bale M1 helmet, which is in need of some TLC. Its going to be a back to bare metal job, as the existing corking/texture is badly damaged.
Im going to loose the existing bales and replace them with 'D' bales, as this will go with my paratrooper kit.
Here are some pics of its current state before i plaster on the nitromors tomorrow.
I will keep you all updated on its progress.
Day 2: Nitromors treatment to the exterior.
As you can see from the pics i've now removed all paint from the exterior of the shell, and a few layers of skin from my arm. Im please with how its turned out.
After removing 2 layers of the paint. I un-earthed its original coat of paint. a very light shade of OD. So its possibly an ex korean conflict that was refurbed and put back into service, or put into surplus.
Here's some pictures of my progress:
1) First treatment with the Nitromors
After washing and drying.
2) Second treatment of nitromors to remove the layer of paint around the seam.
3)The Finished exterior
So far so good. Now ive gotta tackle the interior of the shell.
What you planning on restoring it to?
Show me a man who will jump out of an airplane, and I'll show you a man who will fight!
General James M. Gavin
CRY HAVOC AND LET LOOSE THE DOGS OF WAR
Im going to turn it into a 101st Recon Helmet. Its the first of many, i have a further 2 shells to refurbish.
The inside is now bare metal. In doing that i've un earthed the stamped markings 1020H. I dont believe they are of any importance. But if anyone could tell me what it means, id be interested to know.
Weekends task it to dremel off the swivel bales, and then tig weld the D bales in place. Then prime the helmet ready for its first coat of OD.
OMG - are you sure it's 1020H?
Heh, I found a markings guide a while back but can't remember it now 
had a desperate trawl but can't find it. Here are some other link instead!
http://www.global-manufacturer.com/comp ... coltd.html - M1's are still made!
http://www.hardscrabblefarm.com/ww2/dating_m1.htm - ready reckoner for period dating
http://www.toppots.net/main.php?do=home&action=home - site for drooling
Yeah it says 1020H...Why have i stumbled across a relic? bought it for a tenner from ebay, so its a winner if it is
Heh, I have no idea 
I dont think it means anything to be honest..ive got that stamped on my Vietnam M1.
tommy helmets should have quite a different surface covering from the yank stuff.
4) Removing the Swivel Bales.
This evening i spent an hour or so in the garage with a dremel grinding off the swivel bales. They came off pretty easy, i must admit.
Im going to get the new D Bales TIG welded on tomorrow. So i'll post up some more pics after its done
5)Welding the 'D' Bales in place
Well as promised I've TIG welded the new 'D' Bales in place today. Just needs a bit of tidying up and removing any waste residue.
Should be ready for its first coat of paint in the next couple of days.
Feel free to comment on my progress or make any suggestions.
I personally hate having to do welding. So the fact you’ve done it and done a good job, is quality in my books 
Well done
Hang on! (x) of you, (y) of me, dont mind playing Airsoft, I make that Pimms O’clock
Thanks. I've enjoyed doing it. Next stop its the paint shop (my garage). Thats when it gets interesting
6)Painting and Corking
Right well this afternoon...once id managed to shake off the Hangover. I got on with painting and corking the shell. Now to do this i used Cork bought from J.Murray, and the correct shade of paint which was kindly donated by Mike at Fallschirmjager.biz
Coincidently Mike will be selling M1 OD paint and cork via Ebay and his website very soon. After i ask him to sell me some of his paint.
So a BIG Thanks to Mike for donating me some paint. 
I discussed how to paint the helmet with him over a few emails. So armed with a paint brush, paint, cork, and his advice fresh in my mind i got to work.
Using my artistic skills taken from my days at art college, I believe as a first attempt i have done pretty well. Using a dabbing technique (borrow from mike) ive managed to recreate a similar look to what a spray can would do.
Here are a few pictures. The paints still wet so once its dried i'll take a few more.
I've also let it dry for a few hours then once i could touch it. I placed it in the oven at 100'c for 20mins to really bake on the paint.
I'll take some pics tomorrow when the light allows me to get some better shots. But overall im very pleased.
Next step: Applying the aging to the helmet.
UPDATE: As promised here are some pics of the finished helmet.
Part 2 of the project coming soon
Please feel free to comment. Feedback...good or bad is welcome
