WWII U.S. American Red Cross Schlueter Fixed Loop M1 Helmet & Capac Liner Set
This original mid-WWII U.S. M1 helmet set technically belonged to at least two different American Red Cross (ARC) volunteers (the steel shell and liner were found separately from one another, but match nearly perfectly). The liner is ID'd to Harold E. Wallin and was acquired directly from his son. View the Veteran's Information Section for more details regarding Wallin's life and military service. During the war, the ARC provided medical, recreational, and other humanitarian support to the troops with whom they were embedded. The Schlueter manufactured helmet's heat stamp is partially concealed by the first-punctured, and then-welded, ARC insignia, but considering Schlueter's limited fixed loop production run and this particular example's flat brass chinstrap buckle, we can discern this helmet was produced in mid-1943. It features an original field repaint, cork texture, and OD#3 (khaki) chinstraps. It comes complete with an original Capac manufactured helmet liner. Like the steel shell, the liner also retains an identical original ARC insignia. The green-painted steel A-washers date the liner's production from mid-1943 to mid-1944. It comes complete with its original headband and neckband. One of the headband's spring clips is damaged, while another is missing; the liner is cracked and its factory finish shows heavy wear throughout.
Veteran's Information
Harold Erland Wallin was born on October 31, 1911 in Ashtabula, Ohio. His son, Peter, informed us that he served on a hospital ship in the Pacific Theater of Operations. Following his wartime service in the American Red Cross, Wallin became the first Chief Naturalist of the Cleveland Metropolitan Park System in Cleveland, Ohio. At 84 years of age, Wallin died on March 12, 1996. He is laid to rest at Brecksville Cemetary in Brecksville, Ohio. In addition to Wallin's draft card, made available to the new owner, below, is a link to his gravesite.
