Camo Italian M-33 Helmet

[blinky]

One of my favorite helmets though I don't know a lot about it.
I purchased this helmet about 20 years ago at an estate sale. Doing a bit of research I found the original owner did serve in the Army in North Africa up through Italy during World War II. I do not know (and the vet was long since gone before the sale) if this was something he brought back, was given to him, or he picked up some where else along the way. The little bit that I know about Italian helmets is that most features are World War II period but please correct me if I'm wrong.

The outside has an interesting pattern of olive drab and tan over the original green. The finish is probably about 70% complete at this point. The overall effect is very subtle.

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2.

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3.

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Overall inside shot.

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Size 55

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The makers stamp.

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Handwritten name in the liner.

Also, stamped in the shell on the inside of the back of the brim is P 103
and stamped on one of the chinstrap brackets is AT/4.

Is this a World War II era M-33 and if so, what theater was it most likely from? Any information will be greatly appreciated.

Eric

[CIANO]

Hi,

Yes, it is an original Italian WW2 Helmet Period.
Regarding the painture IMO looks good.
Anyway let us to know the Paolo's opinion...

cheers

[ARDITO]

Wonderful and very very rare helmet!
compliments.
Regards, Luca.

[Paolo Marzetti]

Good indeed.But strange the double shades of colour.Bye, PaoloM

[blinky]

Thank you very much guys! I'm glad I have something a little unusual.
Does anyone have an idea of where this was worn or picked up? Would it have been in North Africa or were camo helmets encountered in Italy?

eric

[Tora_Tora_Tora!]

Very nice lid!!I would also hazard to say that maybe it has been used during the spanish war....

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I never thought of Spanish Civil War. Italian helmets are pretty far out of my area of knowledge

By any chance can anyone read the read the name in the liner?

eric

[Paolo Marzetti]

Very nice lid!!I would also hazard to say that maybe it has been used during the spanish war....

Original for sure! I too thought to the SCW looking at the left side of the helmet
with a dark brown paint typical of the helmets of that theatre, but also to the
North African campaign looking at the right side of the helmet with that typical
khaki tan colour! We'll probably never know this,unless we don't know how it
arrived to Blinky.
Cheers, PaoloM

[blinky]

Well, this makes me very happy! I'm glad I could share it with you guys and appreciate the information. I've been looking for an Infantry marked helmet and it turns out I've got something a bit neater sitting on my shelf all along.

eric