Original U.S. WWII USAAF Bomber Crew M5 Steel FLAK Helmet with Complete Liner Rigging Spanish Military Equipment but it is worn

but it is worn

this is an oddity

It now has a very nice bright steel patina

Year of Manufacture: circa 1870-80

The rubber padding around the liner is crumbling

Original U.S. WWII USAAF Bomber Crew M5 Steel FLAK Helmet with Complete Liner Rigging Spanish Military Equipment but it is wornOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is an hard to find USAAF WWII issue M5 Flak Helmet in unissued condition. It only has storage wear. World War Two American bomber crews in the skies over Europe needed something more than their leather flying helmets to provide them with shrapnel injuries, however it took a surprisingly long time for a new helmet to be developed and deployed to meet that need. Not until December of 1943 did the M3 reach the ETO,