What you have when you purchase a Gordonclan WWII Helmet Reproduction or Replica. I started this hobby off about 5 years ago under the tutelage of the late Larry Sutherland. Both being Vets, he taught me to always build a helmet as close as possible using as many original parts as possible and when not available use the best reproduction parts that can be had even if you had to get them made yourself.

My helmets start off using a McCord Radiator Co. Front Seam Steel Pot. These may have a fixed bale, D bale or a swivel bales. This choice is left up to the buyer. The D bales are the only none original bales, these are spot welded to the exact position on the helmet as was done originally. When the original finish of the pot has had more then 50% of it’s original cork finish worn off, I strip the pot of all paint and corking and repaint and recork using three coats of, FS 33070 dark OD paint. The paint was computer matched to a McCord Radiator Co. Helmet which was in unissued condition. The chinstraps are 100% cotton, 11 ribbed, shade 03 Khaki, and bar tacked as per Military Spec to the bales. The hardware, J-hook, tab and end keeper, I have made and are the early raised bar style.

The liners when all possible are original WWII helmet liners. Some may have small defects from being over 70+ years old and seeing some rough use. I repair the defects as necessary and remove all of the old webbing. When needed the liners are stripped of all of their paint and repainted with FS 34079 OD paint. This paint was also computer matched but to an unissued Westinghouse WWII liner. The liner then has a completely new suspension installed using 6 panel, 100% Cotton, Triple Herring-Bone Webbing. The leather liner chin straps are one of those items that I have had to have reproduced. Most have the earlier OD colored hardware.  The sweatbands that I use are made here in my shop using die cut leather and single herring bone webbing. The clips are all painted OD as was done during WWII. All of the fasteners used in making my helmets are obtained from the same suppliers that the different Helmet Manuf. Used during WWII. The Rivets holding the suspension into the liner have been properly roll crimped.

On my Airborne M1C and M2 Helmets, the correct Baby Dot snaps have been added to the Steel Pot chin straps, and liners. The liners have had A yokes installed which are either of the Inland style, which is 03 khaki with a wire style buckle or the Westinghouse style which is 07 OD and have the cast style buckle.

Like I mentioned in the beginning I will always use as many original parts as possible, and when not available, ones that have been reproduced to the most exacting specs in order to give you the best Reproduction Helmet that I can.

ONE POINT I HAVE TO MAKE IS THAT THESE HELMETS ARE PUT TOGETHER USING THE SAME SPEC. SHEETS AS WERE USED DURRING WWII. THIS DOES NOT MAKE THEM APPROVED FOR USE IN MAKING ACTUAL JUMPS FROM AIRCRAFT. THEY ARE MEANT TO BE USED FOR DISPLAY OR WEAR. IF YOU ARE GOING TO USE THEM WHEN JUMPING FROM AN AIRCRAFT YOU DO IT AT YOUR OWN RISK. IF YOU LET ME KNOW OF THIS INTENTION PRIOR TO ME MAKING YOUR HELMET I WILL ADD EXTRA ITEMS IN AREAS NOT VISIBLE BUT WHICH WILL GIVE THE A YOKES MORE STRENGTH.

FRED GORDON

GORDONCLAN WWII HELMET REPRODUCTIONS.