M1956 East German helmet

**A trench Dude** · 08-09-2011, 11:32 PM

I recently purchased this helmet so I thought I'd share some photos. This helmet is from 1981 I think, so a later one. It does have a cord netting, but I haven't put that on yet.

**Espenlaub Militaria** · 08-09-2011 11:32 PM

We also buy and trade your items and full collections!

**Panzercommander** · 08-10-2011, 02:51 AM

One way to tell is to check the inside around the chinstrap area, it should be stamped with a year , only showing the last 2 numbers of that year it was made.

Anthony

**A trench Dude** · 08-10-2011, 06:39 AM

It has 2 (the size I think), then 5 (the month?), and then 81 (the year). Though it is a newer one, I'm happy with it as its mint condition. Thanks for the reply!

**battle gear** · 08-10-2011, 08:22 AM

by A trench Dude

It has 2 (the size I think), then 5 (the month?), and then 81 (the year). Though it is a newer one, I'm happy with it as its mint condition. Thanks for the reply!

a size II shell should measure approximately 12" inches long and 10.5" inches wide

are you going to put a net on it? the nets are very inexpensive , the M56 helmet is a nice display piece and would look great with a EG or Russian gas mask on display

‪NVA Film Schützenpanzer SPW und SPZ Teil1 von 2‬&rlm; - YouTube

the soldiers in this video have nets with camo on their M56 helmet

**oradour** · 08-10-2011, 04:34 PM

battle gear, your helmet is actually the later model 1966 helmet, the M56 has a quite different liner, liner attachment and chinstrap...the M56 is the rarer of the two helmets. See here.....ALEMANIA 56
Prost ! Steve.

**A trench Dude** · 08-10-2011, 10:38 PM

@Battle gear, yes I may add the netting soon, just haven't got round to it yet. And I have to agree, it looks great on my desk along side my other helmets, its a great helmet for display.
@Oradour, Your talking to Battle gear right?

**oradour** · 08-10-2011, 10:43 PM

by A trench Dude

@Battle gear, yes I may add the netting soon, just haven't got round to it yet. And I have to agree, it looks great on my desk along side my other helmets, its a great helmet for display.
@Oradour, Your talking to Battle gear right?

No...disregard any reference to battlegear, the I.D. of the helmet is for you, A Trench Dude. Your helmet is an M66 not an M56.
Prost ! Steve.

**A trench Dude** · 08-10-2011, 10:49 PM

Oh ok thanks for the info! To be fair to the seller he never said it was a M1956, he simply said East German helmet. I just assumed that's what it was, so thanks for clearing that up!

**cricketchris1944** · 09-07-2011, 02:35 AM

The one I have has only two markings it also has rivets.
so would it be a M56 dated 1964.
66
64

Chris

**battle gear** · 02-25-2012, 06:54 PM

here are some nice color photos showing the East German M56 in use, I like the photo with the DDR soldier and the Soviet soldier, the German appears to be wearing a M56 or M56/66, the Russian has the Ssh40/41 with Y strap