Article about: I initially posted this helmet for general information on another post but since finding more information on it and its history i feel it would be less confusing to post it on its own. (MODS
I initially posted this helmet for general information on another post but since finding more information on it and its history i feel it would be less confusing to post it on its own. (MODS, feel free to delete previous post if necessary). The helmet in discussion is on the left.
This helmet was produced by Kirsa and although Russian prodcued, were issued to the Czech Republic to pay off a debt. Aswell as such helmets being sent, 6 Mi-35 combat helicopters were presented.
"This is the Russian-made Kirasa BSh-E helmet, manufactured by "Kirasa" in Perm.
In July 2003 a set of 2000 such helmets (alongside with other equipment) was supplied by Russia to Czech Republic to repay its debt. It is likely the helmets were delivered with vz.95 and snow covers. Two sizes were supplied, 1st in 54-57 cm and 2nd in 58-62 cm.
The shell is very similar in shape to Schuberth m826 and is made of Aramid fiber fabric and organic matrix using prepreg technology. On the back rim, there is a producer marking, stating in cyrillic "Kirasa BSh-E-1".
Liner is very similar to that seen on Sestan Busch BK3. On the pictured helmet, the chincup is made of two straps, but more common is the plastic chincup variation.
There is also a Czech sticker inside of the shell, stating that the useful life is 5 years (when the ballistic protection is guaranteed). With delivery in 2003, no helmets are supposed to remain in usage with Czech army. "
Lucky find. These are genuinely hard to get, at any price. The only one I have been offered was at a price that was easy to refuse, assuming I wanted food and electricity for the following month. Never seen one on Ebay, and probably never will.
Fantastic addition , It does resemble a German Schuberth M826 , and the US style liner is intriguing, just goes to show some designs are timeless. Great to see an unusual composite helmet,with an interesting history behind it!
This might be of interest; I took a look for a Kirasa website and indeed found one. They still produce helmets and other body armour and so on, but the B series helmet (which is that supplied to the Czechs) is not mentioned, there being only various versions of models A and C. So, one off export-only run, then.
I don't know anyone who either has, or has even seen, either the A or C model, and I would be very interested to know what degree of similarity there may be to the B, or its very close relative the German 826.
great find vicky ,your in depth research on this particular model is superb ,one thing i will say is the quality of the shell paintwork i notice sections of composite fiber visible ,i can only compare this to my yugoslavian m89 composite ,the paintwork can literally fall off at the slightest touch ,this cant be said of the us pasgt as the paint keys very well to the shell
Interesting helmet to say to least, with an equally interesting back story. To pay of debt, they send military equipment.
I guess that it is a win/win situation. If the Czech find that the equipment is up to scratch, the Russians are able to keep the armament industry going.
A nice helmet non the less, and one not easy to find.
Rare Kirsa Composite Helmet
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