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East German DDR M56 Stahlhelm Early Model circa 1959

In Military and Wartime > Military Helmets > Show & Tell and Military and Wartime > World War Two > Show & Tell.
battlegear's items26 of 69Bulgarian M51/72USA M1917A1 Steel Helmet
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    Posted 9 years ago

    battlegear
    (69 items)

    M1956

    The East German M-56 helmet was originally designed in 1942 as a replacement for the M1935/M1940 model Stahlhelms. The design was never progressed and was unused until the requirement for a new German helmet for the Volkspolizei and the National People's Army arose, it being realized that the reintroduction of the Stahlhelm would not have been tolerated by the Soviet Union.

    It came in three basic versions, Mod 1 or I/56, Mod 2 or I/57 and Mod 3 or I/71, and was widely sold (or given) to Third World armies."

    This helmet is the Model 1/56 with a M31 style leather liner very similar to the liner used during WWII in the M35/M40 steel helmets

    The markings stamped inside the steel shell:

    II - 6 - 59

    indicate that the shell is a size Medium manufactured in June 1959.

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    Comments

    1. blunderbuss2 blunderbuss2, 9 years ago
      At 1st glance, thought it looked Dutch. Nice piece for the collection.
    2. battlegear battlegear, 9 years ago
      Thanks Blunderbuss2, I like the sleek design of the German M56, it looks modern for a helmet originally designed back in WWII , it almost has a futuristic Star Wars look?
    3. fortapache fortapache, 9 years ago
      Another great post.
    4. JimmyC JimmyC, 9 years ago
      another great helmet battlegear ,i like your detailed pictures and information regarding the helmet too ,i was lucky enough to pick one of these up myself last year ,i have often wondered how these managed to dodge the liner upgrade allthough it was a good thing some did ,i also wonder how many in this configuration are in circulation ,thanks james c
    5. blunderbuss2 blunderbuss2, 9 years ago
      The design will keep the rain from dripping down the back of your neck better. Brrrrr! Just had a flashback!
    6. Militarist Militarist, 9 years ago
      These helmets must have been dumped on the market lately by the German government since the Fleet Farm Stores in Central Wisconsin are currently selling them in their military surplus sections.

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