UnKnown Helmet

[Steve82ndARBN]

[IMG][/IMG]


Hi This is a Helmet that had a terrible paint job. I chemically stripped it to refinish it & this was what the chemical stripper couldn't strip away. I tested the paint & it is lead based. What puzzles me is that this is a US M1 front seam helmet with an Italian symbol in front?

Can anyone tell me anything about this helmet?
Why would this helmet be made?



Steve

[Paolo Marzetti]

On the contrary it is a well known US M-1 steel helmet issued for a while in the
late 50's to the 8th Italian Inf. Regt.Almost surely few of these helmets have
been issued to the troops, remaining in the depots.PaoloM

[Steve82ndARBN]

So is it rare? I thought the Italian military had there own equipment? Why would the US give them any of there's? It wouldn't be the same as the rest of the Italian military's gear. One thing about any branch of the military is uniformity. All solders must have the same issued equipment. Its like a US solder wearing an Italian issue helmet. It just doesn't happen. Can someone please explain?


Steve

[Paolo Marzetti]

Steve,Italy is part of the NATO since the beginning. US Army left in Italy a lot
of equipments and weapons after WWII, that became part of the reserve stuff:
as the M.1 steel helmets.The most part of them has been never issued to the
Italian armed forces, except some Infantry troops in the late '50s and some special
units of the Air Force till the late 80's together with some units of the Police, after WWII.
Cheers,PaoloM

[Paolo Marzetti]

For your files, some examples,PaoloM

[Paolo Marzetti]

..

[Paolo Marzetti]

...

[Paolo Marzetti]

(Courtesy, Piero Santi):

[Paolo Marzetti]

Both are of the V.A.M. (Vigilanza Aeronautica Militare) Approx 1970-80.

[Steve82ndARBN]

Awesome. Thanks.


Steve