Polish WZ63 Para Helmet, Used and Named

[Spitace41]

Hi all. I have wanted one of these for a while. Picked it up at a surplus shop for a good price. I know that these are readily available in unissued condition but I like the fact that this has obviously been used and is named. There are no markings and I have read that this was due to these helmets being exported to the DDR? Is this accurate or just an erroneous variation? Cheers.

[Composite]

That's strange....no markings at all? Usually the inner shell crown has a black stencilled mark and the inside of the pigskin tabs have stamps on too. There's been quite a debate (I can't recall which forum) around trying to identify, from any of the marks, which ones were DDR-used and which ones stayed next door......I've not heard a solution...but with no marks at all perhaps it can be whatever you want it to be.........

[Spitace41]

Thanks for that Composite. I was not aware of stamps on the tabs but just had a look and there is the number "54" stamped on one. Not that that helps much I suppose. Doesn't bother me too much who used it. They are just a cool helmet

[Watchdog]

Thanks for that Composite. I was not aware of stamps on the tabs but just had a look and there is the number "54" stamped on one. Not that that helps much I suppose. Doesn't bother me too much who used it. They are just a cool helmet

Just in case (sorry if I am stating the "bleedin' obvious") anyone doesn't realise it, 54 is the size so this one is a "peanuthead" size

Regards

Mark

[Composite]

..is that an official designation? :-)

[Spitace41]

Maybe that's what the writing on the liner says......

[HARRY THE MOLE]

My example has no markings either... other than the size that is.

[Composite]

Perhaps that's THE key difference we've been looking for.....inner crown stencil or not???? 'Clutching at straws here but..........

[Watchdog]

..is that an official designation? :-)

Yep, the opposite of "Buckethead"

I'll look again at mine but I don't recall any markings

Mark

[Composite]

This is what's often inside the crown.....something like.....




....and this one CLEARLY says.....errr...."M1 1A 111J!"...errr...no...it's "HI 11 19z!".....no, no it's defo "M1 II 197!".....no...wait a minute.....how about "H1 1A 1971"......

well it says SOMETHING....and it's black....well, I say black..it could be a very very dark green.......


either way, it's in a DDR version....and my Polish one doesn't have anything..........queue Twilight Zone music......'not sure how one would write that bit....