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    #1

    M56 type 1 converted to type 3

    As I am running out of collecting space I have been thinking about selling some of the more common items in my collection.

    One of those things is this helmet. Type 3 helmets are cheap so I was thinking of selling it cheap, maybe 20-30 euros.
    CLARIFICATION: This is NO for sale ad!!!

    But as I was taking pictures I noticed a stamp I hadn't seen before (although I soon realised that ALL helmets had this stamp).

    III
    11
    60

    After some research I found out that it meant:

    Type 3
    November
    1960

    As the date 1960 indicates an early helmet rather than a type 3 this had me thinking that maybe this was a type 1 converted to a type 3.
    After a closer look I found out that the rivets in the shell weren't holding the liner at all.

    The thing that finally convinced me was that I noticed that the "III" (the type 3 stamp) was odd. The I in the middle almost wasn't visible while the I's on either sides were very clear.

    I guess, the I in the middle is the original and when it was converted they stamped the other I's, thus making three of them.

    It also looks like it's never been repainted, or possibly only one time.

    Conclusion: the liner is worthless but the shell is early and in a really good condition for it's age.
    Does the shell make a difference or is it still a common helmet after all?

    Any pointers as to what would make a reasonable price for selling this? I really have no idea at all.











    /Mikael
    Last edited by Bone Collector; 12-03-2009, 05:30 PM. Reason: Need for clarification
    Tags: None
    #2
    Sales thread?

    Comment

      #3
      Originally posted by Sergeant 08 View Post
      Sales thread?
      No no, you're getting the wrong idea! I'm not even sure about selling it! I wan't to know more details and hopefully an estimated value of it IF I'm going to sell it.
      Sorry about that, I just edited my post to make things clear.

      /Mikael

      Comment

        #4
        If you search for helmet sizes, you will find that the Roman numeral refers to the size of the shell: I being the smaller one (rare), II being the most common and III being the biggest and again rather rare. The process of stamping these numbers was not producing reliably legible markings, so I think what you have is a size III with the adjustable liner probably retro-fitted at the first opportunity for a refurbishment .

        Comment

          #5
          Originally posted by iannima View Post
          If you search for helmet sizes, you will find that the Roman numeral refers to the size of the shell: I being the smaller one (rare), II being the most common and III being the biggest and again rather rare. The process of stamping these numbers was not producing reliably legible markings, so I think what you have is a size III with the adjustable liner probably retro-fitted at the first opportunity for a refurbishment .
          Oh, my mistake then.
          Anything else that was incorrect?

          Am I right about the helmet being a type 1 converted into a type 3? If it is then I'm really interested in how common they are.


          probably retro-fitted at the first opportunity for a refurbishment
          As english isn't my mother tongue I'm not all clear about this.
          You mean that the liner was was switched out because of regulations? So the shell really is a type 1?
          Last edited by Bone Collector; 12-03-2009, 06:20 PM.

          Comment

            #6
            I got a helm from 61 with a type 3 liner. I've seen a lot of these going around. I don't
            think there very rare.

            The Type 1 are rare because of the liner and the decal, if still intact. I don't think that the
            ones kept in service and kept updated are that rare.

            Comment

              #7
              Originally posted by Knuckles930 View Post
              I got a helm from 61 with a type 3 liner. I've seen a lot of these going around. I don't
              think there very rare.

              The Type 1 are rare because of the liner and the decal, if still intact. I don't think that the
              ones kept in service and kept updated are that rare.
              Yes, I do know that the early NVA stuff is very rare because civilians weren't allowed to own military items. Because of that most of the early stuff ended up being converted.

              I've seen type 1 converted to type 3 helmets for sale by some dealers, quite cheap, but those helmets had been repainted several times because of it's long time in service.

              It seems as if my shell has never been repainted, even though it's clearly been in use (sweat stains). Maybe an untouched shell from 1960 is unusual even though it's missing original liner and decal?
              I am only speculating. But I am aware it might just be wishful thinking, that is why I posted this.

              Comment

                #8
                Sorry, I did not explain myself too well ...
                These helmets were issued, used and then returned to depot... Before being re-issued to another soldier, it is likely that helmets would be repainted and given a new liner. Al the more because the later adjustable liner gave greater flexibility (and comfort) instead of old fixed one in a given head size. This means that one can find helmet shells that are very old, e.g. 1958-1960 and look freshly spray- painted with a brand new liner.

                Comment

                  #9
                  You need to omit referring to the helmet on this thread as a type 3 helmet. It isn't.

                  Matteo was gracious to respond and explain the Roman Numeral III stamp is the size of the helmet - not the helmet type. As he stated, Size I and size III are much more rare than size II.

                  Types of helmet:
                  Type 1). Three rivet helmet with original older type liner.
                  Type 2). Rivetless helmet with new two sponge plastic fitted liner.

                  The helmet you have is a hybrid. They converted and updated a lot of the Type I helmets by retrofitting them with the newer liner of the Type II helmets. Matteo also did a nice job of explaining this process.

                  By the way, because of the information and dialogue about Helmet Type and Helmet Size I'm going to permit the the posts on this thread to remain.

                  However, this is clearly a for sale thread and as such I'm going to lock this thread at this time.

                  It is against forum rules to initiate a thread about an item you have in your collection and in the thread advertise that the item is for sale.
                  You indicated the item is for sale and asked how much should you sell it for?

                  There is an E-Stand on this forum for selling DDR items. We are encouraging members to use it.
                  In the future, if you have a question about resale value, I would strongly suggest sending one or more members a PM and ask them by that means. An even easier method is to simply look at Ebay - yes, these helmets, all types and sizes, appear for sale all the time on US Ebay. You can quickly ascertain a good ball park selling price by doing just a few searches.

                  Thank you for your interest.

                  Thread locked.
                  Michael D. GALLAGHER

                  M60-A2 Tank Commander Cold War proverb: “You can accomplish more with a kind word and a ‘Shillelagh’ than you can with just a kind word.”

                  Comment

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