Scarce Gaeret 605 DDR Export Helmet

[Din1965]

I stumbled upon this youtube video and some photos of the Geraet 605 Stahlhelm of the DDR. Some info i could find is that it was an experimental helmet produced in 1982 but failed the ballistics trials. Also it was heavy and it was made only for export to Countries like Angola (?). (not the prettiest helmet design )
Here is the link to the Youtube video https://youtu.be/YOqU9AhBcdQ

and also some interesting Photos
Thought i'd share with you.

Best regards
Dinos

<img src="https://i.ibb.co/YdPmFcF/1038466d1484693783-thale-helmet-prototype-question-gerat-605.jpg" alt="1038466d1484693783-thale-helmet-prototype-question-gerat-605" border="0" />

<img src="https://i.ibb.co/WxwmSfc/Format-Factory3.jpg" alt="Format-Factory3" border="0" />

<img src="https://i.ibb.co/q1YBQkT/Format-Factory2.jpg" alt="Format-Factory2" border="0" />

<img src="https://i.ibb.co/HqJ7dpj/Format-Factory1-2.jpg" alt="Format-Factory1-2" border="0" />

[Sgt. Steiner]

Never saw this before. Have any ever turned up? Thanks for posting.

[Din1965]

Info

Never saw this before. Have any ever turned up? Thanks for posting.

This is the info more or less i have found until now.

The Gerät 605 dates from the late 70s/early 80s. It was an attempt by the DDR to develop a new design to replace the M56/76 (also designated the "Gerät 604"). After extensive testing the Gerät 605 was found to offer no improvement over the existing M76 and the project was discontinued. A few however exported to "fraternal countries" and some have recently be seen in Syria. However it's a very rare helmet.

Here is a photo of it in the Syrian Army

<img src="https://i.ibb.co/vHBcNLT/syrian-Army.jpg" alt="syrian-Army" border="0">

[Ron P]

Thanks for posting. First I have heard of them! Ron.

[Din1965]

Thanks!

Thanks for posting. First I have heard of them! Ron.

You are welcome. Thought it was interesting to share!

Best regards
Dinos

[Din1965]

Turned up helmets.

Never saw this before. Have any ever turned up? Thanks for posting.

I believe the guy from Germany in the link (youtube) that has one stated that there are 6 known helmets in europe.

best regards
Dinos

[vacollector]

Interesting information. I wonder if when the war in Syria ends if the remainder of these helmets will start filtering out to collectors.

[Elmar Lang]

This is the info more or less i have found until now.

The Gerät 605 dates from the late 70s/early 80s. It was an attempt by the DDR to develop a new design to replace the M56/76 (also designated the "Gerät 604"). After extensive testing the Gerät 605 was found to offer no improvement over the existing M76 and the project was discontinued. A few however exported to "fraternal countries" and some have recently be seen in Syria. However it's a very rare helmet.

Here is a photo of it in the Syrian Army

<img src="https://i.ibb.co/vHBcNLT/syrian-Army.jpg" alt="syrian-Army" border="0">

The soldier on the far right looks like wearing a Soviet helmet, reversed!...

[Klaus1989]

always thought was only export helmet and not intended for NVA, but i read sometimes, that it was originally. Interested, if there is documentation for this? Is interesting, because NVA had already for years a good design with the M56.

Most Syrian Gerät 605 photos are from early in the war or even 90s, but a few are still in use in Syrian Arab Army. Most are now in very bad condition with missing/replaced chinstraps, rust damage, etc. like in this photo from Idlib front in August 2019. So not sure how many will even survive the civil war.

[vacollector]

always thought was only export helmet and not intended for NVA, but i read sometimes, that it was originally. Interested, if there is documentation for this? Is interesting, because NVA had already for years a good design with the M56.

Most Syrian Gerät 605 photos are from early in the war or even 90s, but a few are still in use in Syrian Arab Army. Most are now in very bad condition with missing/replaced chinstraps, rust damage, etc. like in this photo from Idlib front in August 2019. So not sure how many will even survive the civil war.

Very true statement sir. It reminds me of many of the old Israeli Mausers that came on the collector's market. A large portion of them where in extremely poor shape and in need of repair before even thinking about shooting with it.

[Mike G.]

As already noted, the M56 pattern helmet (Later model without rivets), ballistic wise, was an excellent performing helmet.

REV42 authored three excellent articles on the development and implementation of this helmet into service with the East German Armed Forces.


Many believe it was not until the US first introduced the Kevlar helmet, that there was a superior helmet in use with any army at the time.
So why the DDR would be looking to produce another helmet for the NVA is a bit of a mystery, particularly one that upon view shows no apparent improvement over the M56 model already in use.
On the other side of the coin, where it would make perfect sense for the DDR to export some combat associated items used by its own army (M56 helmet for example was exported); East Germany really didn't have the finances to design, test and then produce articles of warfare specifically designed from "Scratch" for sole use by a military of another country.


So this is a bit of a "Quandary".



It would be of interest if more could be learned about the origin and development of this helmet, and its intended purpose.

[sgtdorango]

Thats a good looking helmet,,,,,,,,,,,,mike

[leaftree]

Elmar Lang ' The soldier on the far right looks like wearing a Soviet helmet, reversed!...'

Good eye!

[Klaus1989]

On the other side of the coin, where it would make perfect sense for the DDR to export some combat associated items used by its own army (M56 helmet for example was exported); East Germany really didn't have the finances to design, test and then produce articles of warfare specifically designed from "Scratch" for sole use by a military of another country.

development and production of military goods for export market by DDR was not entirely without precedent. Wieger 940 series rifles in late 80s is an example of this. Could earn more money from customers, who might not want standard NVA items, but have interest for other designs.

[Matze-2000]

Gerät 605 video

The information from the video is not 100% correct...