General Information: The Dutch Model 1934 addressed problems of its predecessor, the Model 1927. Artillerists complained that the earlier helmet produced irritating sounds in windy conditions. This made it difficult for soldiers to hear orders. In addition, the helmet had to be removed when using a telephone because the brim was in the way.[1] TheContinue reading “Dutch M34”
Monthly Archives: May 2022
Belgian M31
General Information: The Belgian Model 1931 replaced the French made Model 1915 as the main helmet of the Belgian army during the Second World War. The helmet was very similar to the French Model 1926, but it had a slightly different shape and an aluminum comb. The liner copied the design of the French M26.Continue reading “Belgian M31”
US M-2 Paratrooper
General Description: The standard M-1 helmet used by the US army during the Second World War was not appropriate for airborne troops because the steel shells had a tendency to separate from the detachable liners during jumps. The solution was to create a modified version of the M-1 for use by paratroopers. The new model,Continue reading “US M-2 Paratrooper”
Norwegian M31
General Information: The Model 1931 was the helmet worn by Norwegian troops at the time of the Nazi invasion. It was initially manufactured in Sweden, but later was produced in Norway by the Raufoss A.F. company.[1] The M31 closely resembles the Swedish M26 except that it has a small crest on the top of theContinue reading “Norwegian M31”
Italian M33
General Information: The Italians supplied the Spanish Nationalists with Model 1933 helmets. These were exactly the same as the M33s used by the Italian army (see “Italian M33”). Surviving examples of the M33s used in the Spanish Civil War typically have rough brown or greenish-brown paint. This crudely applied paint tends to flake off overContinue reading “Italian M33”
French M15 Engineer
General Information: There were eight statutory badges authorized for use by different branches of the French armed forces in the First World War. The badge with a breast plate and helmet was for engineers (“genie”). (See French Model 1915) Displayed Example: I purchased this helmet this helmet in 2007 from Le Beret Vert in France.Continue reading “French M15 Engineer”
Japanese IJA “Cherry Blossom”
General Information: The Japanese “Cherry Blossom” helmet was what the Japanese soldiers wore when they invaded China in 1931. It was an improvement over the very limited production earlier model which is referred to by collectors as the “Star Vent” or “Model 1918” helmet, although it apparently never had an official designation. The earlier helmetContinue reading “Japanese IJA “Cherry Blossom””
Slovakian vz.32
General Information: The Nazi puppet state of Slovakia was the first ally of Germany in the Second World War. It participated in the invasion of Poland and absorbed Polish territories into Slovakia’s newly formed state. The Slovakian army was equipped with vz.32 helmets from the former Czechoslovakian republic. The Slovakian helmets were the same asContinue reading “Slovakian vz.32”
Romanian M15
General Information: In late 1916 the Romanians ordered 200,000 Model 1915 helmets from the French, but only 90,000 were delivered. The helmets were painted blue and had the cipher of King Ferdinand I. The cipher consisted of a crown on top of two “Fs” placed back-to-back with a Roman numeral “I” in the middle. InContinue reading “Romanian M15”
Romanian M39*
General Information: In September 1938 the Romanians signed a contract with the Dutch company Verblifa (Vereenigde Blikfabrieken[1]) to produce helmets for their armed forces.[2] The helmet was an exact copy of the Dutch Model 1934 but for the badge which was egg shaped rather than oval shaped like the badge used in the Netherlands. TheContinue reading “Romanian M39*”
Steel Helmets of the World Wars 