DDR Helmet Liner Systems

[Matthew S.]

I am familiar with two different liner systems used in the M56 helmets. One is very similar to those used in WWII German helmets. It has 9 "fingers", each with fives holes. The other has 6 similar fingers, only without the five holes and there is a 6 brached, plastic brace as well. Is anyone familiar with any different arrangments?

[Flugzeugfuhrer]

@

interesting questions

[iannima]

I am not a foolproof expert on helmets and Olivier's website can help you better:
http://pactedevarsovie.free.fr/
(scroll down for the helmet case studies)

The point to note is that there basically are two tyes of lining: one, earlier, is sized in a fixed way, that is it cannot be adjusted. The number of fingers depend on the size of the shell and liner. I have a size 55, shell size I with 7 fingers (and five holes each as you say). The second type of liner is suspended on a plastic frame that is adjustable. Although it is not a one size fits all as the metal shells themselves are sized (I=small; II=medium; III=large); there is a substantial leeway for adjustment. All the ones I have of this type have six fingers as you say.