M1 Helmet - International Adoption

International Adoption

Several nations adopted the M1 helmet after World War II. The Dutch and Austrians, in particular, were very prolific in creating these clone helmets. Many speculate that adoption of the M1 style of helmet was due to the negative aura that surrounded the Stahlhelm, in addition to other more practical reasons. For reenactors with a budget and movie sets, these clone helmets are a very viable alternative to original front-seam helmets. Because of this, they are a resource that has yet to be tapped into by World War II enthusiasts. However, the shape of these helmets is slightly different than the World War II and Korean War vintage M1, and a trained eye can tell the difference. For example, the slight "S" shaped curve on the rim is more pronounced on the World War II and Korean War helmets. The visor in the front is also larger and the rim flares out more.

During the First Indochina War, the U.S. Army supplied the French Union and State of Vietnam troops with M1 helmets, which became more common than the French Modèle 1951 helmet.

The M1 was used by the Canadian Army from 1960 to 1997, although M1 Helmets had been used in limited numbers by Canadian Forces as early as 1943. Canadian troops participating in the invasion of Kiska in the Aleutian Islands during 1943 wore US M1 helmets to avoid friendly fire incidents with US troops also participating in the operation.

Israel made extensive use of the M1 in its original form as well as updating the design with a 3-point chinstrap from the 1970s onward.

The M1 helmet was the basis for the Type 66 helmet used by the Japan Self-Defense Forces and despite the adoption of the newer Type 88 helmet, it still remains in use as late as 2011 with JSDF soldiers undertaking search & rescue efforts following the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami being seen wearing Type 66 helmets.

The United Nations still issues the M1 helmet, painted sky blue, on peacekeeping missions. They are slowly being replaced by more modern helmets made of kevlar.