Talk:M1 Helmet

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Contents 1 Bails vs. bales 2 Clarification 3 Degree of Protection 4 WPMILHIST Assessment 5 "pressed NON-MAGNETIC steel" 6 July 2007 Discussion regarding improvements to the article

[edit] Bails vs. bales

For some reason, the collecting fraternity has taken to naming the wire chinstrap loops on the M1 helmet as "bales." That mistaken notion should be corrected here, since there is ample dictionary evidence to prove that the correct spelling is "bails." The online Merriam-Webster offers this definition of "bails":

   1 a : a supporting half hoop b : a hinged bar for holding paper against the platen of a typewriter
   2 : a usually arched handle (as of a kettle or pail)

I have corrected the spelling in the text, but cannot alter the photo-image of the M1 liner and its misspelled labeling of this part. If the originator of the illustration would be so kind to do so, please add the correct spelling of "bails" to the image's terminology. Jack Bethune 10:16, 5 August 2006 (UTC)

== Fair enough. I copied to term "bale" from existing M1 collector websites and such. They never seem to be refered to as bails. I'll edit the image when I get a chance Chris Wood 17:45, 12 December 2006 (UTC)

Chris, thanks for following up on this correction to terminology. Your imaging expertise and editing efforts will be beneficial to all Wikipedia readers who have an interest in M1 helmets and who might be misled by other websites. With appreciation, Jack Bethune 18:50, 12 December 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Clarification

"During World War II, and later, soldiers wore the webbing chinstraps, preferring to loop them around the back of the helmet and clip them together. This was because many men believed the incorrect notion that a nearby exploding bomb or artillery shell could cause the chinstrap to snap their neck when the helmet was caught in its concussive force. The nape strap inside of the liner is intended to keep the helmet from falling off a man's head."

That line seems a bit odd. It first makes it seem like the soldiers wore the chinstaprs, then says many did not, and instead looped them around the back of the helmet. Anyone who knows the truth want to rephrase that?

[edit] Degree of Protection

Considering that this article is about armour, I think it would be prudent to add this information, adding sources as relevant. Veritas Panther 14:47, 22 October 2006 (UTC)

I agree. I looked it up only to find out how it stacked against modern helmets in degree of protection. There's no information whatsoever on how much protection it provides, but there are three paragraphs devoted to the details of the helmet liner? 68.230.161.164 (talk) 22:39, 31 January 2008 (UTC)

[edit] WPMILHIST Assessment

Thank you for an interesting and educational article on a subject which, I think, many people might consider far too ordinary and basic to bother with. I especially like the labeled picture of the inside. Complex stuff, specially engineered and developed over a half-century of experience... LordAmeth 00:17, 4 December 2006 (UTC)

[edit] "pressed NON-MAGNETIC steel"

Um, why is that capitalized? I was thinking of switching it to lowercase, but if there's a valid reason, I'll keep it.

[edit] July 2007 Discussion regarding improvements to the article

After reviewing the article, I would like to begin a discussion to cleanup the article by rewriting, shuffling, and deleting several portions of the current text. Starting from the top, I would suggest the following points how I would like to see the article improved.

• A complete rewrite of the introductory paragraphs to bring it inline the standards set by Wikipedia, specifically limiting the content the paragraph as a paraphrasing of the article content.

• The sections “shell” and “liner” should be renamed and become subsections under a “Design” section. I would also like to propose a section for alternative use but am still unsure if major editors can create a worthwhile paragraph justifying its own section.

• Subsections “cover” and “net” should become sections under a new section “Accessories”.

• The section “Clone helmets” should be renamed “Use and International Adaptation”. As well as describing how several nations copied the M1 Helmet and its comtinued use in some militaries (I could have sworn to have seen soldiers of the current Iraqi army and some African nation armies and guerilla groups use similar helmets).

Depending on the amount and quality of the editors that participate in rewriting the article, I am considering the addition of a section called “History” to explain the introduction, revisions, and obsolescence. However, since some of that information is already apart of “Shell” and “liner”, it could be left as is. Mind you, all of this is just a discussion to change the article and would encourage suggestions and comments to be left on this talkpage.--Kevin586 23:03, 18 July 2007 (UTC)