East German steel helmets

[leaftree]

This helmet was, and remains, something of a mystery. It was imported to the U.S. by Sturm and purchased in a surplus shop in Tacoma, Washington, outside of Fort Lewis, about twenty years ago. it is in mint, unused condition. As it is dated 1989, it was from one of the last batches of helmets to be manufactured by the DDR.

There were many theories given for the paint in a thread published some years ago. It is suggestive of the old "potato" pattern and appears to be factory applied. After much debate, the consensus was that the helmet was destined for export to the Balkans for use by the warring parties. There are pictures of camouflage patterns painted by the Bosnian Army on armored vehicles that have a similar pattern as the helmet. For whatever reason, the helmet was sent to the U.S. instead.

Whether it was painted by the DDR regime, Sturm, or a former Yugoslavian, we may never know.

Thanks,
TJ

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Excuse the ignorance but who or what is Sturm?
The theory of it being Yugoslavian holds water in my opinion. A bring back from IFOR/SFOR in the 1990's. The servicemember rotated to JBLM at some point and offloaded it there.

*edit* I found the answer, Sturm is a militaria dealer. Should have used the search function first.

[Guardian 5]

Hi leaftree,

A pleasure to meet your acquaintance.

Sturm imported a ton of DDR gear into the states soon after the wall fell. Their ubiquitous "Made in East Germany" stamp is still found on many samples of gear floating around the market to include the curious helmet above. The paintjob on the Bosnian M-18 seen below is suggestive of the pattern on the helmet. I think your theory of a veteran bring back is thoroughly feasible.

Many thanks,
TJ


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[Reibert-Austria]

Hello Friends,

Here are some of my helmets.

I'll start with this Volksmarine helmet. I love the "battleship gray" paint and the honest wear. Just about every one I have encountered has a piece of surgical tape with the owners name written on it in blue ink.

Thanks,
TJ

...

Maybe from interest, this, particular, thread:
https://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/for...66-volksmarine

[Guardian 5]

Hello R.,

I hope you got to drink those beers back in 2017!

Its good to hear from you.

All the best,
TJ

[Reibert-Austria]

Hello R.,

I hope you got to drink those beers back in 2017!

Its good to hear from you.

All the best,
TJ

I´m drinkin´ beer any single day ! ????

[Reibert-Austria]

Hello R.,

I hope you got to drink those beers back in 2017!

Its good to hear from you.

All the best,
TJ

I´m drinkin´ beer any single day ! ????

[Reibert-Austria]

Drinkin´ beer every, single, day !

Best regards,
R.

[rebeldevil89]

I'll start with this Volksmarine helmet. I love the "battleship gray" paint and the honest wear. Just about every one I have encountered has a piece of surgical tape with the owners name written on it in blue ink.

Nice helmets! I love the VM ones, I think they're very underappreciated. The camo one is interesting too, looks very much like it is mimicking the Blumentarn pattern.