Original U.S. WWII-Era US Navy USMC Issue M-1940 Pressed Fiber Sun Helmet by Hawley with Hand-Painted Navy Officer Insignia Japanese Helmets which definitely muddies the waters

which definitely muddies the waters regarding identification

It is of all iron construction with no European proof marks whatsoever

The chin strap is present and complete but is in delicate condition

The center of the top dish has a plaque reading LAFAYETTE / ESCADRILLE

The retaining chain for the ramrod was removed

Original U.S. WWII-Era US Navy USMC Issue M-1940 Pressed Fiber Sun Helmet by Hawley with Hand-Painted Navy Officer Insignia Japanese Helmets which definitely muddies the watersOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is a lovely example of an American Fiber Helmet with a Hawley contract stamp on the interior. The fiber helmet was originally designed by Jesse Hawley in the early 1930s. Hawley subsequently designed the first fiber helmet liner for the original M1 steel helmet, alongside the General Fibre Company, a subsidiary of the International Hat Company. The first patent for the Hawley pressed fiber sun helmet was