The Steel Pot : Going for the look...

If you have just acquired your very first US steel pot, chances are that it came without the liner. Most M1 helmets, if ever you find one ( I think they're becoming scarcer to find in Manila), comes without the liner. what you have would be just the bare steel shell. Just make sure that the bales ( swivel type for the VN era) are intact. If they are not, then how are you going to attach your chinstrap, right?

The US M1 helmet and accessories

What you will need to assemble your steel pot:
1. US made M1 steel helmet
2. Post war M1 liner
3. OD chinstrap ( Very hard to find, unless you order online, like ebay for instance)
4. Mitchell Pattern helmet cover

The elastic helmet band were used by soldiers on the field for keeping small items like cigarettes, lighter, bug juice, toiletries etc. and other items you don't want to get wet.

The chinstrap tucked at the rear

It is very easy to assemble the helmet and its accessories. First, install the helmet cover before attaching the M1 Liner. Once the cover and liner has been inatalled, put on the elastic helmet band over the dome. It is best to tuck the chinstrap at the back of the helmet by clipping both ends together. Or another way is to just tuck the chinstrap under the elastic band. Both of these methods are correct for that period look. 

Of course, the helmet can be worn without the band, and it would still be period correct. Same goes for the helmet cover.