Netherland cold war helmet

**Burningwhisky7** · 02-20-2015, 05:16 PM

Hello

Last year i bought this Cold War Netherland army helmet for a cheapy price.
Im wondering if this was the real deal or just another fake.
I would like to get your opinions.

**Greg Pickersgill** · 02-20-2015, 05:42 PM

Well, it would be seriously hard to imagine why anyone would fake a Dutch M53, a very common helmet on the surplus market. In any event, your helmet is almost certainly the real thing; I say almost certainly because the liner is definately Dutch (the BEC is a known liner maker to the Netherlands, and the headband attached with pop-stud loops is specifically Dutch) but your photos do not show the definitive siign of a Dutch shell, which is the arrowhead push-pull chinstrap fastener, I'm guessing it is there, though. So yes, rest assured, its Dutch. Not a fake!

**battle gear** · 02-20-2015, 10:57 PM

I can see part of the Dutch type fastener in the second photo, I would say it's an original Dutch M53

**Burningwhisky7** · 02-21-2015, 11:17 AM

Thanks for the Information guys

Im very happy that i got a real one.

**Opex** · 02-21-2015, 12:30 PM

Very nice, I have a couple of these in my collection they are not so common as the Austrian version ( which has flooded the market) thanks for sharing.

**magicdutchmen** · 02-22-2015, 03:09 AM

On the rim of the shell (front inside part) you should be able to make out some markings stamped into the steel.

**emileverbunt** · 03-18-2015, 04:06 PM

You no doubt have a Dutch M53. The liner is as Greg described, Dutch made.

The shell should be marked in the forward rim. It could be: VDN, U's or maybe LS. It is followed by the date and batch number. My guess is VDN. This maker produces the helmet with a deeper rear, compared to the other M-1 clones.

The colour is the last bronze green hue. Before the colour tended more to olive.

Nice helmet.

Cheers,
Emile