M18 Liner Question

[Brian R]

Hi Guys - I have a question which may seem elementary but I am out of my league here. Is it kosher to find (what I believe to be an early) leather liner in an M18? Is it reasonable to believe that these liners were put in newer helmets?

Thanks,
Brian

[C. Roelens]

Brian,

If you're referring to this helmet it's a Model 1916 shell. The M18's were not produced with the M91 chinstrap lugs.

Nice helmet.

Chuck

[Brian R]

Thanks, Chuck. As you can see, I really don't know much about these things. I was looking at the air vents and completely missed the part about the chinstrap lugs. I had thought these types of vents were later.

[Brian R]

Here are a couple of other pictures. I bought this helmet in 2003 and didn't realize at the time (nor did the seller) that it is also named. I purchased it as an M16 but started thinking it was an M18.

[C. Roelens]

Brian,

The vents are a pretty good indicator of size, otherwise; they're pretty much the same on all. The Bell-L 64's do have a rounded vent. The air vents on your helmet would indicate a larger size 66 or 68.

Inside left near the chinstrap lug would be the manufacturer and size stamp.

The shell has nice remnants of original camouflage as well.

Chuck

[Brian R]

Yup, I bought it as a worn camo. I collect WWI and WWII EKs but wanted a couple representative helmets for the collection.

It's an ET66 so you are spot on. Thanks for the lesson - I now understand the variation in vents.