Soviet GPW helmet?

JensF. · 04-10-2003, 12:45 PM

I just got this helmet, maybe soviet from WWII. Maybe someone canhelp me with the style/markings. It has got a felt-padded leather liner with a leather chin strap. It has an ink stamp at the liner with "51" (maybe the size), "300" and crossed swords. On the helmet inside also the "51" and the crossed swords. Any opinions about the country/date?

Sorry, no better picture:

vikingraider1 · 04-10-2003, 01:34 PM

That helmet sounds like it is Czech. The crossed swords were used by the Czechs. I doubt that the size is 51 as that would be tiny, I would imagine that is the year.

JensF. · 04-11-2003, 02:21 AM

Thanks! Any opinions about the "300"? Could this be a unit/regiment?

vikingraider1 · 04-12-2003, 03:13 AM

The 300 is possibly a batch, factory or consignment number. I cannot imagine manufacturers mass producing helmets with specific markings as to what unit they were being assinged to.

Dolf · 12-08-2004, 08:55 AM

Gentlemen,

What do you think about this Helmet?
I was told it's a M72 WWII Soviet Helmet.
How many types of these helmets have been used by the Red Army during WWII? Is this M72 one of these Types?
There is a number 58 engraved inside the helmet, on the leather "protection" (no idea what's the real name for that!) which I believe it's the size of the helmet, as well as a kind of circle ink stamp, inside the circle there are two letters, I guess that's two "K".
Opinions, please?

Thanks,

Dolf

Al-muell · 04-21-2005, 01:34 AM

I don't think soviets ever used this sort of liner. I have seen those ww2-like, with 3 pads and those later ones with 4.
I can't see, but if it has a general "soviet ww2" shape and 3 rivets it can be Polish 50
Anyway - no ww2

Dolf · 04-21-2005, 02:33 AM

Al-muell,

According to the seller this helmet came from a war depot in Bulgaria.
According to the same source, this one was part of a lot given to the Bulgarian Army by the Soviets, and he calls it a M72 !... If the 72 means 1972, sure it's not from WWII, but it could still be a Soviet one.
I have another one exactly the same model but no leather protection at all.
I believe both have only 3 rivets.
What you mean by the "pads" ?

Thanks,

Dolf

Al-muell · 04-21-2005, 06:55 AM

Than maybe it's just bulgarian?
Though the only Bulgarian helmets I have ever seen look different (the general shape of the shell)
I think the soviets stopped doing 3-riveted helmets in 40's when they were replaced by 6-riveted.
Forgive me this "pads", it's a wrong word. I used this word to call the parts of soviet liner. I don't know how it is called, but soviet liners were made of 3/4 such parts (see pic).
http://foto.onet.pl/upload/23/26/_323899_n.jpg

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04-10-2003, 01:34 PM	#2
vikingraider1 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: London, Home of West Ham United Age: 54 Posts: 328	That helmet sounds like it is Czech. The crossed swords were used by the Czechs. I doubt that the size is 51 as that would be tiny, I would imagine that is the year.

04-11-2003, 02:21 AM	#3
JensF. Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Germany Posts: 121	Thanks! Any opinions about the "300"? Could this be a unit/regiment?

04-12-2003, 03:13 AM	#4
vikingraider1 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: London, Home of West Ham United Age: 54 Posts: 328	The 300 is possibly a batch, factory or consignment number. I cannot imagine manufacturers mass producing helmets with specific markings as to what unit they were being assinged to.

04-21-2005, 01:34 AM	#6
Al-muell Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Wrocław, Poland Posts: 1,828	I don't think soviets ever used this sort of liner. I have seen those ww2-like, with 3 pads and those later ones with 4. I can't see, but if it has a general "soviet ww2" shape and 3 rivets it can be Polish 50 Anyway - no ww2

04-21-2005, 02:33 AM	#7
Dolf Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Lisbon, Portugal Age: 68 Posts: 572	Al-muell, According to the seller this helmet came from a war depot in Bulgaria. According to the same source, this one was part of a lot given to the Bulgarian Army by the Soviets, and he calls it a M72 !... If the 72 means 1972, sure it's not from WWII, but it could still be a Soviet one. I have another one exactly the same model but no leather protection at all. I believe both have only 3 rivets. What you mean by the "pads" ? Thanks, Dolf

04-21-2005, 06:55 AM	#8
Al-muell Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Wrocław, Poland Posts: 1,828	Than maybe it's just bulgarian? Though the only Bulgarian helmets I have ever seen look different (the general shape of the shell) I think the soviets stopped doing 3-riveted helmets in 40's when they were replaced by 6-riveted. Forgive me this "pads", it's a wrong word. I used this word to call the parts of soviet liner. I don't know how it is called, but soviet liners were made of 3/4 such parts (see pic). http://foto.onet.pl/upload/23/26/_323899_n.jpg

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