Instructions > WW2 American M1 Chin Strap Sewing Instructions

US M1 Chinstrap Sewing Instructions:

Original M1 Chin Straps

​These instructions should be used when hand sewing your M1 Chin Strap to your helmet bales. You may be lucky and own and know how to use an electric 'box' stitching machine and if this is the case you don't need these instructions, for the rest of us, please read on!

Just a point - see the picture to the left - these are 4 types of original stitching on original helmets you can not only see the variations in chinstrap and stitching technique but also the types and colour of the stitching thread, this gives you a choice in attaching your chin strap and not be too worried about the finish!

Points to note: Make sure you attach the strap with the hooks to the left side of the helmet when wearing it. Attached the strap with the buckle to the right side of the helmet. Make sure you attach each strap the correct way round on the loop (bale). You dont want the buckle and 'J' hook facing the wrong way!

The final result is a standard M1 fixed bale helmet with correctly stitched chinstraps. The below technique can be completed in about  20 minutes for each strap.

You can buy your M1 Chinstraps here.

You can buy your M1C Chinstraps here.

---