Helmet of the West-German "Bundesgrenzschutz" - "Federal Border Guard " - M 1951 - Part 3

[Sleepwalker]

Hello,

after I have presented two models of this type of helmet here


Steelhelmet of the West-German "Bundesgrenzschutz" - "Federal Border Guard " - M 1951

Helmet of the West-German "Bundesgrenzschutz" - "Federal Border Guard " - M 1951 - Part 2


the third, rarest and perhaps earliest variant now follows.


This variant, like its relatives, differs in the way the chin strap is attached.

Here, as with the previous 1931 model of the Reichswehr and Wehrmacht, the holder for the chin strap was attached to the inner ring with a hollow rivet.







The metal parts are made of galvanized sheet steel. Otherwise, the interior is comparable to the other two variants. This is not a recycled M1931 inner ring but a new production. The head size is adjustable and there is a cushioning sheet metal ring around the inner ring.

Overall, the three variants confirm that this could have been a test run towards the 1953 model. From 1953, the majority of these M 1951 helmets were converted for the new 53 inner lining. For this reason, they are rarely found today.

This BGS helmet is an M40 WWII veteran from Quist in size 66 (Q66).

It was newly given a rough coat of paint in RAL 6012 (old). Otherwise there was no modification as the chin strap holder is attached to the inner lining. The splits used in this helmet are from WW2 production.

[James C]

What an interesting piece of helmet history ,the liner system looks very American inspired and reminds me of the US M1 helmet Riddell liner support and also it does not look very robust including the chinstrap which looks very budget /economy made so it is great this example survived in such a sound condition after the rigours of use over the years

[Sleepwalker]

Hello,

yes the interior is a hybrid between the German M1931 and US M1 inner helmet.

Regards

[Sleepwalker]

Hello,

this interior was used in a slightly modified form by the Hessian police.

Helmet of the (West-German) Hessian Police