M1956 East German helmet

**meyle77** · 03-07-2012, 05:04 AM

I have m56/76 aka last version without exposed rivets and the shell was made in July of 1970. Is it M56/66 shell reworked to accept later model liner ?

**Espenlaub Militaria** · 03-07-2012 05:04 AM

We also buy and trade your items and full collections!

**AMTG** · 03-07-2012, 05:35 AM

Is the story these were developed from a WW2 German design intended to replace the M42?

I have 2 of these, one with a VOPO cover and the other a raindrop camo cover

**meyle77** · 03-07-2012, 05:42 AM

yes the story goes that they were developed to replace m34/40/42 style helmets but it was never done.

question: where the foam pads on m76s to be removed when liner was adjusted or where they to be kept ?

**battle gear** · 03-07-2012, 06:52 PM

by meyle77

yes the story goes that they were developed to replace m34/40/42 style helmets but it was never done.

question: where the foam pads on m76s to be removed when liner was adjusted or where they to be kept ?

I would say the foam pads were to be kept when adjusting the liner, the foam pads act as self adjusting pads and help keep the helmet more secure for a better fit, if the pads were removed the helmet would tend to slip more easily during use, the foam pads are very easy to replace, you can get the padding anywhere and add a different size to custom fit the helmet if you needed to.

**battle gear** · 12-03-2012, 07:42 AM

nice photo of the M56 / 71 Stahlhelm in use

**James C** · 12-09-2012, 07:46 PM

if you dont mind me posting here's my examples

**angus1235** · 02-22-2015, 03:07 PM

Is this some sortof variation? My NVA Helmet (Liner marked 1981/87 (it's faded)) has a much shorter brim than this. I've got a size 60 head and it fits with no trouble so what's the story?

**angus1235** · 02-22-2015, 03:30 PM

Update: I just did a check and it's made in 1972 and the liner says it's a size three. the helmet only has the number "5" and "72" underneath etched into the left skirting, if that helps at all.

**James C** · 02-22-2015, 04:47 PM

by angus1235

Update: I just did a check and it's made in 1972 and the liner says it's a size three. the helmet only has the number "5" and "72" underneath etched into the left skirting, if that helps at all.

not really

**battle gear** · 05-05-2015, 09:34 PM

the East German M56 & M56/66 and variants were also in use during the African Civil Wars as shown in this photo taken in 1983

NAMIBIA: People's Liberation Army of Namibia training in Angola, circa 1983