The M34 (Also known as M1934) is a steel combat helmet used by the Netherlands from its introduction in 1934 replacing the previous M23/27, to the invasion by Nazi Germany in 1940. From which it was replaced by the M53 helmet, a local copy of the American M1 helmet. A tropical variant of this helmet was produced for use by the Dutch East India Army in present-day Indonesia known as the KNIL model.
The shell has an unusual shape compared to other helmets of this period. Unlike the many designs of this period being based around the Brodie, Adrian, and Stahlhelm bases. The M34 being an upgraded version of the previous M23/27, having shorter sides and a heavier weight to the M23/27. [1] The shell having a swooping shape and a rolled rim, painted green with an oval bronze badge on the front painted black with the emblem of the Dutch army on it. Helmets used by the Nazis would have the frontal badge removed. The liner consisted of three leather pads attached to a leather band that was affixed to the shell by means of seven rivets. The liner also has a nape strap along the back for further adjustment of size. At the very rear of the skirt a hole was made so that the helmet when not in use could be held in place with a clamp on either the uniform or rucksack. The chin strap being a roller buckle assembly appended to the liner and shell.
A version of the M34 was made for the Royal Netherlands East India Army (Koninklijk Nederlands Indisch Leger, KNIL). Produced by the Milwaukee Saddlery Company in the United States. [2] The new model was christened the M38 and featured a trimmed rear skirt, omission of the front badge, a large rear neck flap, and ventilation holes in the liner pads for increased comfort in the hot East Indies. Aside from the changes listed above, the model was nearly identical to the M34.
The Kingdom of Romania would order 628,000 M34s from the Dutch for use in its army and name it the M39. This model, produced in the Verblifa Factory in the Netherlands in 1938, was painted green and featured on the front the crest of King Carol II of Romania. Once Carol II abdicated the crests were ordered to be removed and new production helmets did not feature the crest, but this order was followed idly. Germany continued to supply Dutch issue M34 and older M23/27 helmets to the Romanians with the Dutch crests removed, sometimes these helmets would have the German M31 liner instead of the original. [3] The design of the M34 and its use by the Romanian as the M39 would go on to influence the future M73 and M73/80 helmets worn by The Socialist Republic of Romania.
The Brodie helmet is a steel combat helmet designed and patented in London in 1915 by Latvian inventor John Leopold Brodie. A modified form of it became the Helmet, Steel, Mark I in Britain and the M1917 Helmet in the US. Colloquially, it was called the shrapnel helmet, battle bowler, Tommy helmet, tin hat, and in the United States the doughboy helmet. It was also known as the dishpan hat, tin pan hat, washbasin and Kelly helmet. The German Army called it the Salatschüssel. The term Brodie is often misused. It is correctly applied only to the original 1915 Brodie's Steel Helmet, War Office Pattern.
The Stahlhelm is a German military steel combat helmet intended to provide protection against shrapnels and fragments or shards of grenades. The term Stahlhelm refers both to a generic steel helmet and more specifically to the distinctive German military design.
The M1 helmet is a combat helmet that was used by the U.S. military from World War II until 1985, when it was succeeded by the PASGT helmet. The M1 helmet has become an icon of the US military, with its design inspiring other militaries around the world.
The custodian helmet is a type of helmet worn predominantly by male police officers in the United Kingdom, within England and Wales, and certain other places around the world. First used by the Metropolitan Police in London in 1863, the BBC labelled the custodian helmet a "symbol of British law enforcement". They are worn by male constables and sergeants on foot patrol. A cultural icon, it has featured in films, TV series and other media involving British police.
The following is a general overview of the Heer main uniforms, used by the German Army prior to and during World War II.
The SSh-60 (СШ-60 was a product improvement of the Soviet SSh-40 steel helmet of the Soviet Army and entered production around 1960. It was not fundamentally different from the previous World War 2 era SSh-40, the primary difference being an updated liner/suspension system.
The OR-201, also designated Kasda OR-201 Model 76 or M-76 for short, is a combat helmet of Israeli origin. Developed in the 1970s, the OR-201 was one of the world's first ballistic helmets. It was subsequently exported on a large scale and has been used by many militaries worldwide.
The M59/M85 is a Yugoslav combat helmet which was produced between 1958–59 and 1985. They were commonly used in the Yugoslav Wars.
The Czechoslovakian M53 helmet was used by the Czechoslovak Army from the early 1950s onward. In western European countries and the United States, it is sometimes referred to as the Czech M53 helmet. These helmets are commonly mistaken for, and sometimes marketed as, Soviet SSh-40 helmets, and various other very similar Eastern Bloc helmets.
The m/37 helmet is a military steel combat helmet used by Swedish armed forces. Replacing the m/21 helmet, the m/37 would be modernized in 1965 with an updated liner and see use into the 1990s with its replacement by the M1990 Kevlar helmet. Three main variants existed. The first had a three pad liner system, like the m/21 and m/26 before it. The third, most common versions of the modified helmets had the same liner as the pictures but with a canvas chinstrap with a quick-release system. The helmet could be gray, as it always was during the second world war, or painted green as it often, but not always, was during the cold war.
The M32 helmet also known as M32/34 is a military steel combat helmet used by Czechoslovakia from its adoption in 1932 to its annexation by Nazi Germany in 1939. The helmet also being used by the Slovak Republic and Finland among other countries that the helmet would be worn by.
The M1918 helmet is a steel military combat helmet used by Switzerland from its introduction in 1918 to its replacement by the M1971. In 1943 improvements would be made to the design to which it would be called the M1918/40. The helmet would be seen used by Swiss servicemen until the late 20th century.
The M1971 helmet is a military steel combat helmet used by Switzerland from its formal introduction in 1971 until its gradual replacement by the Schuberth B826.
The M1942 helmet is a military steel combat helmet used by Spain from its adoption in 1942 to its replacement by a Spanish M1 copy in the 1980s.
The M1926 Helmet, also known as the M26 and “Con ala” for its flared sides compared to the earlier M1921 model helmet, is a steel combat helmet used by Spain from its adoption in 1930 until its replacement by the M42 in 1942. The helmet would be a common sight along with many other helmets between both sides in the Spanish Civil War.
The M1921 Helmet, also known as the M21, along with “Sin ala” for its vertical sides, is a steel combat helmet developed alongside the M1926 helmet in 1926 for use by the Spanish Army. The model was never formally adopted, with the army deciding in favor of the M1926. The exact reasoning for the designation "M1921" is not known as it was developed later.
The M70 is a steel combat helmet used by Hungary, a license made copy of the Soviet SSh-40 and further development of the previous model M50 helmet.
The M1934 helmet is a steel combat helmet used by various factions in the Spanish Civil War. Not meant for use by the Spanish Army, but instead by security forces such as police, the helmet was of similar shape to the Model 1926 helmet in use by the army. The helmet was mainly used by the Nationalists in the conflict.
The Wz50 also known as M50 is a steel combat helmet used by Poland from its introduction in 1950 to its replacement by the Wz67 in 1967. The helmet would be widely exported to a number of Arab countries for its low price. Early pre-production helmets by a double riveted chinstrap and cow skin leather liner. All models of helmet would include an maker and manufacture stamp
Romanian Helmet Model 1973 - Romanian steel helmet used by the army of Romania, introduced in 1973 in the Army of the Socialist Republic of Romania.