Info on this Italian M33

[Dauphin3]

Hi everyone,

Just want to start off by saying this is a fantastic forum and so far I've found it extremely helpful.

I'm after some info on this Italian M33 I have. I know it's been refurbed at some stage (decals, coat of paint etc), but I'm wondering whether the shell is pre or post war and whether the chinstrap and liner might be original?

Thanks in advance!

[relicz]

Not much going for that one in regards to period originality.

Info here:
.: World War Helmets - Casque Modèle 933 :.

[Greg Pickersgill]

I do not believe this to be Italian at all - it has a Bulgarian liner and chinstrap from the Bulgar M51 (or M51/72) and its therefore likely that the shell is a Bulgar M51 also (sometimes hard to tell from pics as it a copy of the Italian M33). So, Italian in influence, but not in actuality.

It would be hard to tell from photos if a genuine Italian M33 shell was made pre or post war. The shells were continually refurbished throughout the 1940s-80s and the real obvious differences are the paint scheme and the liner and chinstrap.

[Dauphin3]

I do not believe this to be Italian at all - it has a Bulgarian liner and chinstrap from the Bulgar M51 (or M51/72) and its therefore likely that the shell is a Bulgar M51 also (sometimes hard to tell from pics as it a copy of the Italian M33). So, Italian in influence, but not in actuality.

It would be hard to tell from photos if a genuine Italian M33 shell was made pre or post war. The shells were continually refurbished throughout the 1940s-80s and the real obvious differences are the paint scheme and the liner and chinstrap.

After doing some reading about the Bulgarian M51's, it would appear as though you might be correct Greg. I've cross referenced some stuff and everything about this helmet indicates it's an M51. Thanks very much for your help! Much appreciated!

[stahlelm16]

Bulgarian M 51 helmet,"masked" to appear an Italian Socialist Republic (RSI) helmet. It is quite common to find as an ( horrible ) fake here in Italy.

[Jack]

Thought I'd chime in as I have been reading all the threads on Italian helmets (due to just buying another one). I also just finished typing into Google Translate the entire text of "M33 Analisi Di Un Elmetto" by Diego Bosi (2006). I'd say that it turned out to be 90-95% readable and understandable in English. Assuming the man is an expert, it reveals some misinformation on the Forum and confirms a lot too. So, I am willing to chat with anyone re what he says about the Italian M16, M31, M33, and M41. Bear in mind that I am simply a conduit, not a know-it-all. Jack

[Greg Pickersgill]

Jack, if you can filter it you what I would be *very* interested to learn is anything where Bosi asserts something different to what we reasonably believe. Its so easy for wrong ideas to be endlessly handed down simply because they are never challenged. Of course then we have the problem of deciding whether Bosi himself is actually right. But its a start.

[MAP]

I too would like to hear about some of this misinformation. M33's are a mindfield and I am not aware of any quality English language books dedicated to them.

[Jack]

Believe it or not, I have not actually researched Mr. Bosi himself. Anyway, after spending a couple of months typing, I am about 4/5 through a last edit. Of course, I have notified the publisher that I will never use the translation for commercial purposes but that it would be a good place to start if they ever issue an English language version. I have to make one immediate comment re all the M33 threads. Per Mr. Bosi, it is hard to postulate hard and fast rules because: (1) there was variation among manufacturers; (2) there was some sloppy work done at times (such as by manufacturers or via field repairs/repainting); (3) there were experimental versions (such as the 3-vent with one on top); (4) post-war, it was a poor devastated country, so they used up any surplus stocks of parts available to build new helmets, including cannibalizing extant WWII M33's. Enough said for now. Jack P.S. I have also (with less success) translated "Helmy Wojska Polskiego" by the late Jacek Kijak. Yes, I am nuts.

[MAP]

Lol Jack.

Confirms my point in a number of M33 threads and what Greg has said as well. These are a minefield.