Fall 2026 Militaria and Aviation Auction
Lot 174:
Description
U.S. Airborne M1C/M2 Paratrooper Helmet Leather Chin Cups – Three New Old Stock (NOS) Examples Offered here are three molded leather chin cups of the pattern fitted to the internal A-shaped suspension yoke of U.S. Army M2 and M1C paratrooper helmet liners. These pieces represent a selection of original, unissued wartime inventory, retained as New Old Stock. While showing subtle variations in tone and finish characteristic of mid-20th-century production batches, all three exhibit the crisp tooling and pristine condition of genuine original manufacture, providing an exceptional reference group for the collector. The molded chin cup was a small but essential refinement of U.S. airborne helmet design. Standard infantry chinstraps could not withstand the violent opening shock of a parachute deployment, which risked tearing the helmet free and sending it into the slipstream during a jump. The early M2 jump helmet, and its successor the M1C, addressed this by mounting a leather cup – chamois-backed for comfort – to the liner’s internal yoke, cradling the point of the chin and distributing pressure across the jaw. Fielded from 1943 onward by paratroopers of the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions, these components saw hard use across training and combat drops; finding original, unissued examples of this vintage remains a rare opportunity. The examples display a range of tan-to-rust toned leather shells consistent with original period material, featuring rounded, hand-finished edges, oxidized staining near adjustment eyelets, and original chamois linings. Each is punched with five holes at either end for strap adjustment. The preservation of these pieces is remarkable, showcasing the original production quality of the wartime-era leatherwork. Offering a unique opportunity to acquire three authentic, original-period components for restoration or display.
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