Gildwiller1918 Posted June 3, 2020 Share Posted June 3, 2020 I just picked up a nice M56 Helmet. This was the helmet used by the NVA or Nationale Volksarmee in Eastern Germany after WW2 (these were also used to some degree by the North Vietnamese). This one is stamped inside the rim with "II" which indicates its a medium size shell, "12" for the month of manufacture, and "60" for the year made. This shell has the outer rivets which was discontinued after 1966. The liner is a newer replacement and it marked on the inside liner, with "NVA II. N" the "II" was for the shell size and the "N" was a year code given, which did not go in chronological order, in this case it stood for the year 1989. I have not had one of these in years, but I found it for a really good price. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fritz Posted June 3, 2020 Share Posted June 3, 2020 The design of this helmet was the projected M.44, which was shown to Hitler with the introduction of the new M.44 uniform. Hitler categorically refused this design, which he considered totally un-German, and prohibited further manufacture and introduction. The design was later found and reconsidered at the foundation of the NVA in 1956. The new uniforms were based on the outward appearance of the former Wehrmacht uniforms, and on a recommendation by Soviet generals, however, the traditional German helmet was turned down for political reasons and the M.44 design was introduced. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gildwiller1918 Posted June 3, 2020 Author Share Posted June 3, 2020 Good info Fritz! I think most people do not realize the history of this helmet, I know I did not. I do plan on getting a version of this helmet with the earlier type liner, similar to the WW2 versions. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fritz Posted June 5, 2020 Share Posted June 5, 2020 I mentioned this in detail in a previous post. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenny Andrew Posted June 11, 2020 Share Posted June 11, 2020 Here are the helmets in use 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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