Top World War 2 Helmets from Our Collection

Top World War 2 Helmets from Our Collection

Sep 10th 2021

In previous blog posts, we’ve covered some of the unique and innovative uses for World War 2 helmets. They’re great for rounding out collections of military relics, creating historical displays, and even for reenactment. Some reproductions can be highly valuable as historically authentic props in movies and amateur films, or for creating still life displays.

Replica World War 2 helmets are also useful for MilSim, especially in engagements where period-authentic gear is a requirement for participation. They can also potentially be used for training purposes.

As for actual originals, they can be highly valuable and may fetch a high price among collectors. Some collectors buy them for the worth of the investment alone.

Whatever your purposes, here are some of the most interesting World War 2 helmets from our collection, some reproductions, others original.

1.Tommy Helmet

Officially known as the Brodie Helmet, termed the Salatschüssel by the Germans, but most famously termed the “Tommy Helmet,” this was the most widespread helmet in use by British Commonwealth forces throughout the First World War.

Much as the Allied forces would refer to the collective German forces as “Fritz,” Tommy was a collective, often a pejorative term applied to any member of the British forces, from which the Tommy helmet took its name. Enlistees in the British forces were often referred to blankly as “Tommies.”

What’s interesting about the Brodie Helmet is that it is the only World War 2 helmet featured here that served with distinction through both World Wars, as it was introduced in 1915 and was widely worn along the Western Front in the First World War.

2.German M35

The German M35, named after the year in which it was developed, 1935, is one of the iconic German helmets to which the term Stahlhelm is applied. The Stahlhelm, German for “Steel Helmet,” was first introduced in 1916, where it saw service in the First World War; variants remained in service until as recently as 1992.

The Stahlhelm has been categorized as the greatest helmet design of all time, due to its comfort, the fact that it provided excellent protection to the head, specifically to the frontal and occipital lobes of the brain, and because it did not significantly restrict visibility.

Here at Sarco, Inc, we offer M35 Stahlhelms complete with rolled edges, leather liners, and chinstraps, finished in the Feldgrau, or “Field Gray” color that was common on originals. They’re ideal for reenactments and displays.

3.Italian M33

The Italian M33, known in Italian as the Elmetto Modello 33, was developed in 1933 in order to reoutfit members Italy’s Regio Esercito by replacing the French Adrian Helmets that were in service at the time.

The M33 was seen as a significant improvement over the design of the Adrian helmet, as it was lighter, more comfortable, and provided significantly improved levels of protection to the wearer.

The Italian M33 helmets we offer here at Sarco Inc. are originals, complete with liners and chinstraps. Originals are hard to come by - so get them while you can!

4.Bulgarian M36

Bulgaria’s participation in the Second World War is an interesting one. A member of the Central Powers in World War 1, Bulgaria maintained neutrality through the beginning of the Second World War, before entering on the side of the Axis Powers in 1941. It fought as an Axis-member state until September 1944, at which point it switched allegiance and fought alongside the Allied Forces.

Here at Sarco Inc, we have a small collection of original Bulgarian M36 helmets, which were worn by Bulgarian troops in their efforts to resist Soviet conquest. Our originals are complete with SS decals.

5.Japanese WW2 Army Helmet

Some of the Imperial Japanese Army’s (IJA) troops were outfitted with a steel helmet known as a Type 92, which was called either a Tetsubo or Tetsukabuto. It was a round, domed steel helmet with a thin rim encircling it. They were frequently emblazoned with a yellow or white star.

Our reproduction Japanese WW2 helmets come with suspension, liners, and nets, and are possibly even higher quality than the originals, which were made of brittle, chrome-molybdenum steel that was prone to shattering under stress.

6.The U.S. M1 Helmet

The U.S. M1 Helmet was introduced in 1941, seeing service throughout the course of World War II. It remained in service until 1985.

The United States M1 was based on the design of the M1917 that had previously been in service, but with a trimmed brim at the front (to improve visibility) and an extended skirt at the back to better protect the wearer. The widespread use of this helmet has made it highly influential to the designs of other helmets throughout the world. Over 30 countries around the world either use or have used M1 helmets or helmets designed after them.

Come Check Out Our Collection in Person

Whether you’re just looking for a steel pot or you want the package to come with an olive drab covering, suspension, liner, and chinstrap to complete the setup, we have plenty of World War 2 helmets in our collection. Come visit us at 50 Hilston Street in Easton, Pennsylvania and see for yourself what we can offer!