M45 Helmets

osip · 10-28-2007, 05:58 PM

Thanks for a photo However probably the doll cannot transfer all to a detail of a subject. Certainly it would be desirable to see photos 1945 year.

**Espenlaub Militaria** · 10-28-2007 05:58 PM

We also buy and trade your items and full collections!

**Dimas** · 10-29-2007, 10:03 AM

Really what I can tell, that the Germans use that kind of helmets in Kurland pocket till the june of 1945 year. ( officially known that battles in Kurland ended in june 1945, but unoficially they fought till the mid of july as I heard)
One seen examples of that kind of helmet was one from attic in good condition, and one known was battlefield found.

**Jager1945** · 12-08-2008, 07:51 PM

I saw this helmet and As I recollect it sold for an astronomical price but the concensus of the MHCC, was that 50/50 real or faked.

Jaeger

**iron** · 12-08-2008, 08:00 PM

that m45 looks horrid glad they never produced it

**Paul D** · 12-08-2008, 08:40 PM

Only ever seen one M45-A. 'ventless M42' about 3 months ago at Scotch Corner Militaria fair a collector who has bought quite a few of my helmets had it , not sure where he got it i'll have to find out

Paul

**hawk82** · 11-26-2009, 12:43 PM

Is this a M-45 helmet?

OKW · 11-26-2009, 03:18 PM

Did this go on to be the DDR's combat helmet?

**radonovan** · 11-26-2009, 05:15 PM

by OKW

Did this go on to be the DDR's combat helmet?

The DDR M56 has a lip around the edge, as seen on that GI Joe doll.

If you ever wondered, as I have, why such an ugly helmet was produced, read this quote from: Ixtlan's Collection Post War Germany

"Why is it shaped like that?
In 1956 development of this helmet was deemed necessary due to experience with the model 1935 and 1942 german helmet. Many head wounds were experienced by wearers of the earlier designs.
The design team led by Erich Kiesan started with the last develpmental versions of the Nazi German steel helmet and steeply sloped the form to increase the glancing effect of the helmet.
The final design was tested using :
Direct shots from TT33 pistols at 10 to 25 meters.
MPi PPSch 41 at 25 to 100 meters.
Sharpshooter Rifle D from 300 to 600 meters.
SMG fire from 600 meters.
Also from the effects of:
Hand Grenades from 10 meters.
82mm Grenade Launcher from 10 meters.
76mm Cannon from 20 meters.
122mm Howitzer from 25 meters.
Taken into account were also the weares comfort and utility.
Wind and Rain were also not to diminish perception of sound.
The users eyes were to be shaded from the sun.
It was to be confortable whether the user is Standing, Lying, rolling, running, or getting up.
Also the suspension was not to cause any pressure pain. A well known phenomenon of even todays helmets.
The VOLPO helmet is perhaps the most scientifically developed Alloy helmet of the 20th century."

A lot of thought and testing went into that helmet!

**Brian** · 11-26-2009, 06:09 PM

The B/II shown in the Reichspatent is a prototype. If it had been accepted (by Hitler) and mass produced as Stahlhelm 45, I believe the mass produced version would have had an edge much like the DDR M56 and M42 helmets.

I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder. The M56 version without external rivets (M66) is said to be one of the strongest steel combat helmet designs ever.