Use of Soviet Helmets in Early DDR?

[Klaus1989]

Ok I not have any of the expensive good reference books, so my question may be uninformed, but I have come across some references to use of Soviet helmets by personnel (KVP, DGP?) in SBZ/early DDR. Never seen any photos though, always soft caps in use before M54 Stahlhelm. Is there evidence for it or are the authors confused? If they were used, was liner or chinstrap different from Soviet?

regards
Klaus

[David H]

Surplus soviet helmets were most definately used and there is plenty of evidence of it. It was a short lived practice mainly because the idea of wearing a Soviet pattern helmet was disliked considerably by the vast majority of East Germans........

[Drugo]

If you have the Keubke und Kunz, you can find a photo at page 50, and here's another one I found on the web right the other day:



Regards,
Filip

[Klaus1989]

Thanks for help! I do not have the Keubke u. Kunz book yet (someday) or other reference books on early DDR items at the moment.

So they are just surplus Ssh40 helmets with tricolour shield. Since they were used, I was trying to learn if any differences in colour, lining from Soviet. I assume the soldiers are KVP.

regards
Klaus

[Drugo]

I assume the soldiers are KVP.

Yes, they are. This picture was taken at the Militärhistorisches Museum der Bundeswehr in Dresden.
Unfortunatelly I've never seen any colour picture from any collector on the web, I guess it's an extremely rare version of the Soviet Ssh40 to be found.
What I'd like to focus on is the decal, I'm not sure, but I think it's handpainted: look at the black of the flag, it's obviously bigger on the helmet of the soldier on our right, and the decal itself looks more shaped, anyhow different.
If anybody has more photos or any information, I'd like to see them, because I like helmets very much...

Regards,
Filip

[Soviet]

Wow, nice picture Filip! I have never seen this before!