a2jacketpatches said:
This has an interesting camo pattern using two greens, blotches, and netting that was sprayed over. So most likely an army toy as opposed to industrial use.
Your liner looks like it was painted orange or red at one time, so I still think it more likely ended up in a toy box after being repurposed for civilian use. It was not originally sold with the "interesting" paint job and netting....that was added by the second or third owner, probably on his father's workbench after watching a few episodes of Combat!
One interesting thing about the liners that were sold for toys in the 1940's, is many have no paint on them at all. And the ones that do....that have still have their original finish, are often painted with really low grade chalky paint. That is because most were factory rejects that did not make it to the end of production. However, once helmet liners hit the surplus market, then anything is possible.