WW2 Helmets: General History and Collections
USA's M1 Combat Helmet - World II and Vietnam (1942 - 1985)
History of the M1:
The M1 (M-1) was the
helmets were produced for WW2. Most WW2 M1's are becoming increasingly hard to find these days.Different versions of the M1 were created specifically for US paratroopers and those were named the M1C and the M2 (both are pretty hard finds these days).
M1 Design:
The M1 is composed of two independent helmets. The outside of the M1 is a steel shell. This steel shell is either painted or polished (polished m1's are used in ceremonies). This inside of the M1 (the liner) is basically a hard hat and can be adjusted to the wearers head.
Germany's Stahlhelm (1916-1945)
The Stahlhelm was introduced during the campaign of Verdun. The first model of the Stahlhelm was codenamed the M1916 and was designed by Hauptmann Friedrich Schwerd.
The M1916 provided excellent protection, however German soldiers often complained of hearing issues because of the large skirt.All M1916's left the factory painted with a dull dark grey. German soldiers would often paint them with camouflage depending on the campaigns surroundings. Later, German factories began making a generic camouflage M1916.
The Stahlhelm was refined throughout the years. Models revisions include:
M1917
M1918
The M1918 introduces a few new enhancements to the M1916. First the chin strap was attached to the liner instead of the steel shell. Second, the skirt featured cutouts by the ears for less echo and better hearing.
Other versions of the Stahlhelm are listed below (mainly by year).
M1935 & M1940
In 1934 Gemany sought sought to overhaul it's M1918 design. This new model of the Stahlhelm had a reduced visor and skirt for better seeing and hearing. The edge of the Stahlhelm was rolled and a new leather based liner was installed providing superior stability and comfort over it's predecessors.
Over all the multiple improvements to the M1935/40 made the Stahlhelm a lighter, yet more protective helmet.
M1942
M1944
M1945
M1954
M1956
Britain's Brodie Mark I and Mark II (1915 - Current)
The Brodie was designed by Briton John L. Brodie and had numerous nicknames such as Shrapnel helmet, Tommy helmet or the Doughboy helmet. Simply put the Brodie basically looks like a big bowl.
The very wide brim was designed to protect the head and shoulders from shrapnel (from above, such as air burst shrapnel). The First generations of the Brodie saved many lives that would have otherwise been fatal shrapnel wounds.
Like many other helmets of that time the Brodie had it's flaws. Some of the flaws that needed to be fixed were:
- the outer steel shell was too slippery
- it was too shallow. While it's wide brim protected soldiers from air based shrapnel frontal and side bursts left the soldiers head far to vulnerable
- it's surface was a bit to shinny. This was obviously a big problem if you were trying to sneak up on the enemy.
- the edge of the helmet was really too sharp and caused injuries when soldiers were blown around about by explosive shortwaves.
Most of the flaws mentioned above were addressed in the 1916 version of the Mark I. This version of the Mark I had a folded smooth edge, a matte finish with a non-slick texture and a much more comfortable liner. Not much was ever done about the shallowness of the Brodie and it continued to look like a bowl throughout and after the war.
In 1917 a rubber cushion was added to the Brodie.
In 1936 the Brodie got a yet a new liner aimed at even more comfort with a much better chip strap (an elastic one).
The Brodie has the title of being the longest "in-service" helmet of all time!