Republic of China (Taiwan) M1 Steel Helmet

“I had never expected that the China initiative would come to fruition in the form of a Ping-Pong team.”
Richard M. Nixon



Well, yeah, that, and throwing over Nationalist China in favor of cheap crap with which to stock Wal-Mars.



The helmet is a straightforward copy of the good old US M1. The backstory, however, is a sordid saga of the United States unwisely propping up the wrong side - to the hilt - and then turning its back on that marionette of a partner, no, I'm not talking about Vietnam, Iran, Iraq, or Panama, or...gosh, we seem to have a long history of that sort of thing...No I'm talking about Taiwan...You know...the GOOD China!



Here's a graphic to help put things into perspective:


The good China is on the island of Formosa, known as Taiwan, or ,until recently "Nationalist China". It was established shortly after World War two by this guy:Warlord Chiang Kai Check, a brutal anti-commie, anti-Japanese, bully who fled with his makeshift Nationalist "government" to the island where he enjoyed the fawning support of the free world and was held up as a shining example of courage against the Reds and their "Bamboo Curtain".


Lots of American surplus military hardware started flowing into Taiwan -
the full roster of cool hardware:

surplus tanks,







really nice destroyers,







retro jets,






This hardware also Included the always fashionable and effective U.S. M1 helmet. What better way to signify a link of common democratic values than to eqip your barefoot soldiers with the steelpot of the American G.I.?

Eventually manufactured in South Korea, (our other "bastion against Communism" buddy over there), this M1 clone varied little from the venerable U.S. M1

From the front this clone has the typical "Willie and Joe" look of the M1. Subtle Differences become apparent under closer scrutiny (we'll get there).




The top view also presents no surprises, the ovoid shape is distinctly M1.




Our first glimpse of non US manufacture comes with the liner. Neither fiber nor composite, this liner is some sort of heavy vinyl or perhaps ABS through and through. The suspension and rigging configuration is straight out of the final generation US M1 of the 1980s.




The non-reflective surface treatment relies on silica sand in the olive paint. You can do your nails with this pot!




Tricked out in its Nationalist Chinese livery the liner profile is again, distinctly M1 of the 1980s.




Both the shell and the liner are completely without any dates, numbers, or makers marks. Only one label, left tantalizingly blank, appears underneath the suspension webbing.

And now, for the gory details:




The swivel bail as well as the chinstrap and chinstrap fastener begin to reveal the cheapness and lack of finish of this helmet compared to the US version. Metals are lighter, spot welds are cruder, placement is somewhat slipshod, and there are lots of rough or sharp edges on the metal. The chinstrap webbing is also very light and cheap feeling.




In close-up the rear rim joint reveals the lack of polish to this helmet. from the heavy handed spot welding to the misaligned and often wavy rim component, this helmet would not have passed muster for service with US forces.


Similarly, the chinstrap fastening hardware, although, identical in appeareance to the US version is rough, cheap, and poorly finished (remarks often directed toward me by an ex in-law).



Hats off! to a fine effort to bring a little G.I. to the forces of non-communist, non-mainland, and (possibly) non-viable Nationalist China.


Needless to say that as time, fashion, and politics have passed and matured,the United States no longer seems to remember knowing Taiwan, let alone going to the prom with her, and now the US seeks a much more sensible and lucrative (for China) relationship with mainland China, that is, the Peoples Republic, formerly known as "the bad guys".

Now, as far as American foreign policy is concerned, this is how we'd prefer to think of the country formerly known as Nationalist China, its "happy hour" a thing of the past:







Part of me feels hopeful that one day America will again turn her favor toward the best little buddy it ever had, that island beacon of ...well certainly not democracy...but certainly anti communism, the tiny giant -

Taiwan.




My China Syndrome is now at an end. It is once again safe to leave your shelters. Thank you for your cooperation.


See you next time with another cool helmet from the collection.


Mannie

Republic of China (Taiwan) Military Police helmet

What never ceases to amaze me is the global influence of the US M1 helmet and it's corresponding liner.  That classic design was around for the better portion of the twentieth century and still turns up here and there on active duty.

This entry's M1 sighting is from the island nation of Taiwan, or Formosa, or Nationalist China, or whatever we are calling Chiang Kai Check's island hideaway these days.  In an earlier post about the Nationalist Chinese combat M1 I've went on about Taiwan being one of the cast-off former girlfriends of  big broad-shouldered, and utterly fickle, the United States.  Once upon a time we viewed Nationalist China as a tiny (itty-bitty) bulwark against Communist China ("Red China, I'm still happy to call it, though it is alternatively known as "Wal-mart east"). 

 Today our national memory is pretty blank as to why we ever went out with that girl in the first place.  Watch out Turkey, we're like that!  except, of course in the case of our permanent dance partner - Israel ("what do those two see in each other?").

Taiwan, remains today, an odd man out, always on the brink of having Mainland China swallowing it up with it's lunchtime noodles.  So let's enjoy a really attractive Nationalist Chinese Military Police helmet in the few moments left to it.  (read fast)

What a beauty, especially in the sunshine of this far-eastern quasi democracy.  This stunning Chinese knock-off of the good old M1 is a real standout in my collection and I'm very happy to have acquired it recently from a friend and fellow collector in Europe who gave me an incredibly generous deal on it, for which I am forever grateful to him.

Here's the helmet in action as Nationalist Chinese MPs practice presenting their chrome-plated WWII-era M1 Garands  to the invading Red hoards. Their expressions do look a little doubtful, don't they?

Though the lines are identical to the M1 liner, the absence of external rivets is the first indication that this lid does have some differences to it's Yankee uncle.

"Help, I'm being held prisoner in a Chinese helmet factory"  Sorry, I couldn't resist.

I'm struck by how clean this helmet is, I suspect it is unissued.

The right side is insignia-free

This has to be one of the most handsome poly-chromatic helmet insignias out there.

The only marking of any sort  that I could find is this very mundane letter/number combination.

The interior has a particularly sterile and anonymous design,  the fact that this lid appears unworn by anyone accentuates that sterility.

Nylon and plastic abound.  The nylon chinstrap is adjustable by the plastic buckle slider.   The sole piece of natural fiber is in the cord that holds the suspension together.  

The leather-look headband is plastic as well.

Generally speaking this well-designed helmet has an interior suspension that could pass for a construction hard hat.

That's not a scratch in  the rear surface, its the reflection of my tripod.

These non-ballistic plastic helmets seem to be reflective of a society where the military, and its police are generally unchallenged...

 

save for balloon-wielding crazies.

 I have to wonder if there was a corresponding M1 steel helmet for Nationalist Chinese MPs prior to the advent the ballistic fiber helmets of today.

The only example I have of a metal  helmet for Chinese Military Police is the one below, though his shoulder insignia may indicate that he's a commie.

(vroooom)

Looking very much like plastic toy soldiers, this group of MPs  appears to be part of a spontaneous "flash-mob" demonstration.  I'm quite sure that they were dancing to Michael Jackson's "Thriller".

Still my favorite photo of a Taiwanese MP.  So plump, jolly. and adorable - now just another ex-girlfriend we're embarrassed to bump into at the mall.  

Ainsi est amour

See you next time with another MP helmet from the collection.

Mannie

Interiors - an artist's view of helmets

The eye of the beholder

What an interesting subject for fine art as well as a unique perspective on helmets.  The artist's statement below makes one rethink the preconceptions we bring to the exterior of a helmet; good-guy or bad-guy oppressor or liberator.  Very interesting stuff.


Top to bottom it appears we have a British MkII sans liner, a Spanish M26, and a German fire helmet without the leather neck protector.

I like it

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Veronica Keith 

Artist Statement on my helmet paintings 

At the present time I am exploring historical helmets. As an object it can assist in identifying authority 

or individuals belonging to various factions. Designed to be ornate or simple, all helmets attempt to 

protect the user. When I paint the helmets I present them positioned showing the inside, displaying the 

crucial surroundings that offers protection to the brain. By not painting the exterior of the helmet, this 

removes the     viewer's ability to readily identifying it. This ambiguity shifts the focus, opening the 

viewer's perception towards it. Taking away what is most easily recognizable about a helmet - in this 

case its' exterior form, allows for the viewer to approach the image without any preconceived notions. 

In 2008 I graduated from a three year Diploma in Fine Arts at the Ottawa School of Art. In which my 

final year I received the Community Foundation of Ottawa Scholarship in recognition of artistic 

achievement. I have continued to work, exhibiting my artwork in my community in such local venues 

as the Shenkman Art Centre.

For more of Veronica's work go to: http://www.veronicakeith.webs.com/

An Illustrated Helmet

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Immediately following the Great War it was a common practice, among American soldiers on the long boat ride home, to paint, or have someone else paint, unit insignias on their helmets.  Frequently much more elaborate decoration was undertaken.

Last year my friend Paul loaned me his grandfather's doughboy helmet so that I could take some pictures.  Paul's ancestor was in an anti-aircraft unit and his helmet nearly speaks for itself.  

Enjoy.

One side depicts a daylight scene of combat...

the other side is of an air raid over a city.

 Caught in the searchlights.

A burning building.

A tank.

What a remarkable set of memories.

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