Rare WW2 M5 Flak Helmet with Aerial Gunner Wings

Description

11/1/24 - This is a great example of a rare USAAF WW2 M5 Flak helmet. These helmets were issued to bomber crews during WW2 and were often worn by the waist gunners of the B-17 bombers. These helmets were adopted late into the war in January of 1945. The M5 is a three piece helmet comprising of the steel shell and two hinged ear flaps. These ear flaps allow room for headphones of the bomber crews. These helmets also were the first to have their chin straps be clipped onto the bails instead of sewn. This was adopted so that these straps, which could be easily damaged, were easy to replace. This clip system would go on to be used on the standard M1 infantry helmet in the post war period. This helmet still has its original leather chin straps and liner. This helmet has the correct olive drab paint, and there is still some texture left to the paint. This helmet additionally comes with an original set of sterling silver Aerial Gunner badge, or Aerial Gunners wings as its also known. This badge was issued during WW2 and was authorized in April of 1943. To be eligible you had to have both training and have served in hazardous duty as a gunner who manned the machine guns on a USAAF bomber.