Bullet hole in ground dug helmet?

**mjthomson** · 09-15-2015, 06:07 PM

Hi everyone.

I recently returned from Normandy and got this ground dug helmet from someone who was clearing a building site. It looks to be a 1935 model as it has the turned edge rim. It's in very poor condition due to corrosion but it has a very interesting bit of damage as can be seen from the photo. It looks like a large caliber round went straight in the front and straight out of the back.

I've only included a photo of the front but the hole in the back (the exit hole?) looks almost identical-it's not bigger or jagged as one might expect from an exit hole. Both holes measure approximately 1.75cm across, so it's not a .50 cal.

I was wondering if 1.75cm matches with anything that was used around D-Day? I'm guessing whatever round it is was armor-piercing as it still had the velocity to punch straight out the back leaving a clean, undeformed hole?

Any information would be gratefully received!

**Espenlaub Militaria** · 09-15-2015 06:07 PM

We also buy and trade your items and full collections!

**mjthomson** · 09-15-2015, 06:21 PM

Here is a photo of the other side of the helmet. apologies for the dim light.

**MAP** · 09-15-2015, 06:28 PM

Helmet could also be an M40 but either way not much of an issue.

Can't see much in the second picture but from the first picture it may not be a bullet hole. It could potentially just be rusted out. as you note, I don't see any tearing or bending of the shell that would be more typical with an entry /exit. That said, it might have been a rifle caliber hit, that since rusted out to a wider hole.

Could be wrong, just my observations. And welcome to the forum.

Regards,

Michael

**mjthomson** · 09-15-2015, 08:49 PM

Thank you!

Yeah, I was thinking it might be rust but it just seems too coincidental as both holes are almost precisely 1.75cm in diameter and they line up perfectly.

Does anyone know if any weapons used 1.75cm ammo?

**big ned** · 09-15-2015, 08:58 PM

by mjthomson

Thank you!

Yeah, I was thinking it might be rust but it just seems too coincidental as both holes are almost precisely 1.75cm in diameter and they line up perfectly.

Does anyone know if any weapons used 1.75cm ammo?

Don't get hung up on the idea it might be "1.75cm ammo", it could be anything depending on the circumstances including shrapnel.

Regards, Ned.