WW II Russian Helmet?

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Hello all,

I will preface my question by stating that I know nothing about Russian helmets as this is not really my "thing" . That being said, I came across this helmet the other day, thought it would look nice next to my WW II German helmet, and considered buying it as the price was under $50.00. There is a "58" impressed into the leather lining on one side, and a faint dark cogwheel stamped on the other. I found no other marking on the helmet. I am wanting to know if this is indeed Russian, and from WW II as it was advertised? Thanks in advance for any help.

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inside

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cogwheel

[Kozlov]

Well I can tell you for 100% certainty its not a Soviet M36 or M40 steel helmet, thereby eliminating the claim of "Russian WW2".

Not M36: wrong shape (the M36 is an Adrian "firemans helmet")
Not M40: no three pad liner, no webbing chinstrap, rivets too high.

What exactly it is I don't know - I'm guessing Czech postwar. Most of the Bloc countries used similar helmets postwar, so it could be any of those but Czech seems most likely.

[HuliganRS]

There should be a stamp on the inside of the helmet itself. Usually a star and a date.

Rusty.

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Kozlov, and Rusty-

Thank you very kindly for your replies and very helpful information, it is much appreciated. I didn't see any stamps or star as I looked at it very close .

[HuliganRS]

I agree with Kozlov that the helmet is not Soviet.

[Mikhealc]

Opinion

It looks Bulgarian to me. mhc

I agree with Kozlov that the helmet is not Soviet.

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Thanks HuliganRS and MHC,

I do believe that I will pass on this one. BTW, Are these helmets rairly inexpensive?

[Kozlov]

Original M40 wartime helmets are available quite often and not anything like as expensive as German WW2 helmets!

Have a look here:

http://collectrussia.com/showcat.htm?cat=HEADGEAR

Actually, looking at that, I didn't have M39 on my checklist above, but your helmet is not one of those either ;-)

[IMPERIAL QUEST]

Original M40 wartime helmets are available quite often and not anything like as expensive as German WW2 helmets!

Have a look here:

http://collectrussia.com/showcat.htm?cat=HEADGEAR

Actually, looking at that, I didn't have M39 on my checklist above, but your helmet is not one of those either ;-)

Thanks for the link and info. once more. Thanks to everyone once again for your contributions to this post.......It is time for me to go back over to "the dark side" now (Third Reich forums )

[Soviet]

You have a M33 Italian helmet. And it's probably a postwar.

Regards

Bryan

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You have a M33 Italian helmet. And it's probably a postwar.

Regards

Bryan

Really...that is interesting. Until now, I don't believe that I have ever seen one of these in person before. Thanks

[Kozlov]

No problems with the help!

It is time for me to go back over to "the dark side" now (Third Reich forums )

Back to fash central eh? Please don't burn or blow anything up as you retreat though ;-)

[Peter_Suciu]

The Bulgarian M51 was a knock-off of the Italian M33. Piece of trivia...in Cross of Iron the helmets are Bulgarian. Peckinpah was told that the Bulgarian helmets looked like Soviets. He didn't know they were Italian styled helmets.

Here is my Bulgarian M51. Note that the vent rivets are flatter than the Italian. Teodor in Bulgaria sent this to me: