The mysterious M51, M72s Bulgarian helmets. Part 1

[Jack59]

Hardly no information as surfaced about the Bulgarian M51 & M72s helmets.
We know its a copy of the Italian M33 helmet & that the shape of the shell
will be slightly modified overtime.



The main question is, why replace an old model of helmet with another old model?
Let's have a closer look at different models, starting with what i believe to be the original M51.


For a certain reason there was an issue with the quality of those first models.
Low quality of steel? Remember it is the early 50s.


Technical problems involving the different steps of manufacturing? Drawing, line dies or spanking.


This first model was never mass issued, on the contrary
it made a shy introduction & never replaced it's predecessor the M36.


Note the symmetry of the shell. Its weight: 1034 gr.




Note that this old helmet is far from new but it as the first model of metal band & liner.
The early M51 metal helmet band was not reinforced.
The M72 one was an exact copy of the Italian model reinforced
with a second metallic band providing better stability.
Lets compare both models.










Overtime the M51s will also be refurbished with the M72s metal helmet band.

Note the M51 felt padding made of recycled material & of white material for the M72.



Both model used 12 split pins to attach the liner to the metal band.
The liner was easy to replace if you didn't have big fingers!


Bulgarians were flexible when came time to repair or refurbished their helmets
meaning that anything available was used. Here are examples of the main chinstraps.
The early model chinstrap were riveted to the bales, the later ones stitched.


Comparaison of the M51 & the Italian M33 (post WW2) models.


A few photos.




The old helmet making way for the next generation.


Stay tune for Part 2.

[MAP]

Great research!

[Jack59]

In part two we will have a look at another M51, partly refurbished with M72 components.



Note the light texture in the paint.




I've seen three type of small rivets on these M51 helmets & a larger flat one.


Note the symmetry.


This is interesting, the metal head band was replaced but the original liner kept.
Weight: 1024 gr.






The old chinstrap was unstitched from the former helmet & riveted back on this one.


More to come, the more we look at those helmets the more we enjoy them!

[Jack59]

The M51s have been exported, here is perhaps such an helmet.
I've already presented this helmet Unusual Bulgarian M51 helmet
I'll be brief with an interesting development concerning my export theory.

This helmet shows signs of banding, during the manufacture of the steel
the temperature was not adequate creating those vertical waves.
This condition diminishes the strength of the shell.


Note the type of rivet, small with a flat top.


It weights 1132 gr.


Earlier I noticed an unusual stamp in this liner.


Here is a Bulgarian trade union award medal, the industrial wheel is similar as the one stamped on the liner.
The liner's similar industrial wheel stamping was perhaps applied on export helmets to symbolize
the Bulgarian trade union brother's support & friendship in the fight for freedom!


A few photos from Cuba.




Cuba 1962, note the FN FAL rifles.


More to come later, the M72s.

[Jack59]

Here is a model introduced in the early 70s, the M72. It kept the shape of the M51 shell without the curved rim.
It is fitted with the improved second metallic band as seen earlier. This model is in mint condition.




The M72 air vent/ rivets are larger with an oval top.


Its weight is 1169 gr.


The steel quality of the shell & finition as improved.




The liner is similar to the Italian one, the leather is thinner,
there is no grommets to reenforce the tip of the tongue's drawstring holes.
It as also 10 ventilation holes per tongues.




The liner padding is now made of white felt & follows the tongues shape.


Its shape reminds of the Greek M39 helmet from a past era.


A few photos.




It was also exported.

[Jack59]

The final model to be seen is a variant of the M72.
As we will see the rim of this model as been flattened
on purpose to look similar to a Russian helmet.


Another mint helmet stored after manufacturing.


It weights 1077 gr.


Both M72 variants shared the same components.


The quality of this helmet as improved very much
compared to the early models from the early 50s.


Nice paint, good leather chinstraps.


The acceptance's stamp seem to be from 1989.


Lets compare the M72 & the Russian Ssh 40.



Many people will wonder if the M51s & M72s helmets were issued in different shell size?
I cannot answer that question, looking at the photos sometimes the helmet seems tiny on the owner's head.
Again the M51s & M72s never replaced the M36s, most models were used together for more than 40 years.
Trying to identify these different models is like the Wild West, I didn't want to mislead anybody & tried to use a chronologic way.
Bulgarian helmets are fun to collect, salutations to our Bulgarian members & guests.




I had fun doing this thread, after a while my desk did look like a disaster zone!
It always start slowly until... I forgot this, those photos are to dark & the list goes on...
But it's worth the time & effort.
Jack

[TabsTabs1964]

Wow, Jack.
You have done excellent research and documentation on the subject, with some very good photographs, what more could one ask for?
Thanks for sharing everything with us.

Regards
Santi

[Eschborn]

Nice summary Jack, this helmet which has a lot of charm is gradually becoming more difficult to find, the supply is decreasing... What is also interesting is the variety of colors which have been used in addition to the "official" color

[James C]

Great research and excellent posts Jack which i have learned a little more on these little gems ,during the first pandemic lock down here in the UK i decided to spend my surplus cash at the time by adding a few of the main model types to my collection which was something i had put on the back burner up until then

[Eschborn]

Hello,
This article piqued my curiosity and I went to examine mine.
I would like to present an M51/72 for its color, because it has a mark (54) on the hull and a round stamp whose meaning I am completely unaware of...
I also notice that the first rivets / ventilation holes which are more rounded have 2 tabs and the newer, flatter ones have 4 tabs.



headdress, chinstrap and pad



Tampon : marking: 54 (date?)
O.T(I?)H
110
18(16?)