Mystery Military Helmet.

Chako · **on:** January 03, 2020, 12:38:48 AM

I found another military helmet for my small collection. However, after doing a bit of online digging, I have come to the conclusion that I have no idea where this one comes from. There is even a sticker inside the helmet, but Googling it didn't bring anything up. At first, I thought it might be Russian, and then Bulgarian, and then possibly Italian. I still haven't nailed it. Does anyone on here know or can give me some clues to chase. I would like to know what country, the model number, and possibly a date. That would be great. Here are some photos.

The helmet does not feature a front brim. The forward shape is rather high in the forehead area. There are two wings to protect the ears...but the back is cut back to expose the neck. You can easily look upwards without having the helmet's rear interfering with your star gazing. At first, I assumed the helmet was worn back to front, but when I got to the house and wore it, I quickly figured out I had the orientation all wrong due to fit.

The inside doesn't look like any of the helmets I thought it could be.

The sticker features a helicopter and guy with raised arms. Not sure if this is an airborne type helmet, something to do with rescue, or whatever. The codes didn't bring anything up on my searches. It states MHR/SHM and 041/962222.

Any help in IDing this helmet would be appreciated. I was certain my Google Fu was better than this.

Smashie · **Reply #1 on:** January 03, 2020, 01:21:25 AM

Well IF it follows NSN (Nato stock numbers), 41 is Austria

Top-Gear-24 · **Reply #2 on:** January 03, 2020, 01:59:14 AM

A friend of mine is quite a speSmurfpillst when it comes to world War I and II stuff, I'm going to send him a link to this topic and ask him if he knows something more about it.

Maybe this helmet is too recent for him to know, but I'll give it a shot anyway, you never know.

My personal guess would've been British, but I'm no expert whatsoever...

Chako · **Reply #3 on:** January 03, 2020, 03:36:02 AM

I looked up Austrian helmets and could not find it. That was a great idea. I would not have known a NATO connection...if any. I would hazard a guess based on the sticker that this is post WW2.

Top-Gear-24 · **Reply #4 on:** January 03, 2020, 11:02:23 AM

Quote from: Chako on January 03, 2020, 03:36:02 AM

I looked up Austrian helmets and could not find it. That was a great idea. I would not have known a NATO connection...if any. I would hazard a guess based on the sticker that this is post WW2.

The sticker makes it quite clear that it's post WW2

.

What I meant by "maybe it's too recent" was that my mate only collects WW1 and WW2 stuff, and I don't know how much knowledge he has about more recent stuff, but if he knows something I'll post it here

.

Sometimes the internal webbing in a helmet is based on the webbing from previous models, so I'm hoping my friend recognizes it from one of his older models.

Mechanickal · **Reply #5 on:** January 03, 2020, 12:22:08 PM

You say the neck is clear to be able to look up.
Maybe it's not a helmet for someone IN the helicopter, but below it.
Being able to look up is quite important when signalling a helicopter...

So could be for someone who gets winched down/up from a Medevac (no brim because hard winds would catch on that) or a SAR team who needs to track someone on the ground and signal a helicopter to their location.

Just brainstorming though.

Chako · **Reply #6 on:** January 03, 2020, 12:43:10 PM

That is entirely possible. I was thinking along those lines due to that sticker. IDing this one is still eluding me. The helmet is thick, heavy, and solid. I would think if you are being hauled in and out of helicopters, you might want something lighter...but what do I know.

Chako · **Reply #7 on:** January 03, 2020, 01:05:07 PM

Here are a few maybe better photos.

The front is facing left. When I first tried the helmet, I had assumed the back was the front. Then I realized the sticker might be placed in the back...then I noticed that when I changed the helmet around, the leather harness fit a lot better around the ears.

McStitchy · **Reply #8 on:** January 03, 2020, 02:15:48 PM

It could be a Mountain Helicopter Rescue team helmet ... from Austria

Syncop8r · **Reply #9 on:** January 03, 2020, 11:26:02 PM

To me it looks like it should go the other way around with the small peak at the front.
Looks military rather than rescue to me due to the finish.

Currently looking through this guy's collection..... http://brendonshelmets.weebly.com/albania-wz50.html

Chako · **Reply #10 on:** January 04, 2020, 12:50:50 AM

I know...but the harness fits better around the ears this way. The two wings that go down towards the ears fit better this way as well. Who knows, I could be wrong.

SteveC · **Reply #11 on:** January 04, 2020, 01:27:43 AM

Maybe the harness is in backwards

Syncop8r · **Reply #12 on:** January 04, 2020, 02:15:05 AM

Quote from: SteveC on January 04, 2020, 01:27:43 AM

Maybe the harness is in backwards

Syncop8r · **Reply #13 on:** January 04, 2020, 02:35:00 AM

~~Looks military rather than rescue to me due to the finish.~~
Not sure about that now, looking at the symbol.

How does it compare to this? https://www.etsy.com/nz/listing/212303845/vintage-military-helmet-army-helmet?show_sold_out_detail=1

EDIT: Looks spot on. We just don't know what that other one is either.

Pacu · **Reply #14 on:** January 04, 2020, 02:35:48 AM

IDF lightweight combat helmet? Looks familiar from the 90s.

Syncop8r · **Reply #15 on:** January 04, 2020, 02:46:41 AM

https://www.ebay.com/itm/WWII-Swiss-Army-Military-Paratrooper-Helmet-W-Leather-Lining-/182388939694

Syncop8r · **Reply #16 on:** January 04, 2020, 02:53:23 AM

Quote

Swiss Model 1971 Steel Helmet

This model Swiss helmet was developed in 1971 but was not fully introduced to the Swiss army until 1979. Despite numerous claims this is not a Swiss paratrooper helmet.

http://www.nyc-techwriters.com/militaria/swiss_helmets.htm

Syncop8r · **Reply #17 on:** January 04, 2020, 03:00:05 AM

Syncop8r · **Reply #18 on:** January 04, 2020, 03:07:07 AM

Year of manufacture:

Chako · **Reply #19 on:** January 04, 2020, 03:30:56 AM

You guys are awesome. Yes, I was wearing it the wrong way.

Funny how I couldn't figure which way was front or back. I guess my first assumption was correct. So this is a Swiss helmet. My helmet says BT-81...guess that means it dates to 1981 for manufacturing year. I think I like this helmet better as it sort of ties in with my SAK collection now.

Many thanks for IDing this one for me.