The helmet worn is the M1 helmet which replaced the M1917A1 in 1939. It is made of two seperate pieces: an inner lining made out of a stiff nylon material and an outer steel shell. Both pieces had a chin strap. The inner liner had a thin, leather strap which was placed over the visor of the shell when the two were worn together. The shell had a thicker, canvas chin strap which secured between the chin and neck, although most soldiers wore it either lose or secured behind the helmet. Airborne helmets had a leather chin cuff in the strap.
The jacket seen here is the M1941 Field Jacket, which replaced the pre-WWII Makinaw Jacket. It's a very poorly made article of clothing and only lasted 2 years before being replaced by a newly designed M1943 Field Jacket. Because the M1941 was so poorly made there are very few still in existence. I had to send all the way to California to get this one and it's very worn out, but I was glad to get it.
In this picture the M1938 Dismount Leggings are worn over brown, reproduction, low quarter boots.
On the front right of the M1923 Dismounted Cartridge Belt (10 pocket), under the grenade, is the M1942 Field Dressing Carrier. On the left are the wire cutters in their carrying pouch.
Over the cartridge belt is the US Navy floation belt. It was issued to infantry men for the Normandy invasion, but it was not enough to keep fully loaded soldiers afloat. The only real use I've ever seen for one was in a picture at Normandy of a wounded soldier using it as a pillow.
The main item that I'm missing here is the black rubber gas mask carrier. I've never even seen one because, as most of you saw in "Saving Private Ryan" they were all thrown away.
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