| Helmet model 1973 | |
|---|---|
 M73 helmet | |
| Type | Military helmet |
| Place of origin | Romania |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1973-1989 |
| Used by | See Users |
| Wars | Romanian revolution War in Afghanistan (2001-2021) |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 1,3 kg |
Romanian Helmet Model 1973 (Romanian : Casca model 1973) - Romanian steel helmet used by the army of Romania, introduced in 1973 in the Army of the Socialist Republic of Romania.
In the 1960s and 1970s, the Socialist Republic of Romania (despite being a Soviet satellite state) wanted to operate more independently from the USSR which caused tension between Moscow and Romania. This complicated relationship between Romania and the USSR further worsened after the Sino-Soviet split and when Nicolae Ceaușescu became head of the Romanian party and throughout the 1960s and 70s, Romania stressed its distance from Moscow. [1] This resulted in a need to restructure the army and therefore its uniform/helmet needed a replacement. [2]
The Army of the Socialist Republic of Romania had been using copies of the Soviet SSh-40 since the 1950s (replacing the Dutch-based M38/39) therefore, it seemed logical to adopt a new helmet based on the previous M39 to further distance the look of the army from the other armies of the Warsaw Pact and USSR (although it seems that some attempts at reintroducing the M39 back into service were made). This would become the helmet model 1973 presumably adopted in 1973. [3] [4] After the fall of the Socialist Republic of Romania in 1989, the M73 was gradually phased out of front-line service being replaced with more modern Kevlar helmets. [5]
The Romanian M73 is influenced by the earlier Romanian M39 (which itself was a copy of the Netherlands M34) The M73 dimensions are smaller overall than those found on the M39. The dimensions of the M73 helmet are a length of 27,5 cm, a width of 23,5 cm, a height of 14,5 cm, and a weight of 1.30 kg. [6] M73 also has a smaller and less flared skirt compared to the M39 and has a raw edge instead of the rolled edge of the M39. [7] The M73 only has 4 rivets instead of the 7 of the M39 and the rivets themselves are also smaller than those found on the M39. [8]
Both helmets have similar liners. The M73 has four large leather flaps backed by felt that cover the entire interior of the helmet between the leather flaps and the felt, is a band of white leather to further increase comfort (on this white leather is usually manufacturing year and factory stamps) instead the M39 has three leather flaps with six smaller tongues backed by pieces of felt, covering only part of the interior. The adjustable nape strap at the back of the M39 is retained but enlarged becoming more of a flap, adjusted by a strap and a buckle. The hole at the rear of the skirt used for attaching the helmet to a backpack, is also a feature retained from the M39. Unique is the Adjustable 4-point chin strap with a double D-ring to secure it, not seen on the M39 or M34. [9]
M73 Airborne is a Paratrooper helmet variant of the standard M73 helmet. The first version of the airborne helmet was the Helmet Model 1 which has the same shell as the standard M73 but with an attached large leather sleeve/cowl guard covering the entire neck, fully enclosing the head for better protection when opening the parachute. The Model 1 was used until the mid-80s. [10]
The second and more numerous variant is Model 2. The shell of Model 2 is an M73 shell cut down to the inner lining fixing rivets, with an attached leather ear and neck guard replacing the four-point chin strap. [lower-alpha 1] For added shock-absorbing the helmet has additional padding along the periphery of the helmet and on the sides of the ear guards, are cups designed for the use of headphones. Model 2 comes in two different liners, one is almost identical to the standard M73 liner with the four leather tongues being slightly smaller, and the other is an 8-tongued liner (both liners were produced with or without ventilation holes).Most M73 airborne helmets feature camouflage netting but are often used without. [11]
M73 Airborne helmets were produced from 1978 to 1989 and are still in limited use today with the Romanian Armed Forces, being gradually replaced with helmets such as the Future Assault Shell Technology helmet and Schuberth M100 ballistic helmet. [12]
Socialist Republic of Romania - the M73 was used as the primary infantry helmet of the Socialist Republic of Romania and by Romanian paratroopers from 1973 until 1989.
Romania - the M73 is still in limited use as a training helmet. [13] 
Islamic Republic of Afghanistan - Romanian has donated at least 35,000 M73 helmets to Afghanistan for use by the Afghan National Army but these helmets were already phased out of service by the Fall of Kabul (2021). [14] 
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 M1C helmet was a variant of the U.S. Army's popular and iconic M1 helmet. Developed in World War II to replace the earlier M2 helmet, it was not made available until issued to paratroopers in January 1945. It was different from the M2 in various ways, most importantly its bails. The M2 had fixed, spot welded "D" bales so named for their shape, similar to early M1s. It was found that when sat on or dropped, these bails would snap off. The solution was the implementation of the swivel bail, which could move around and so was less susceptible to breaking.
The Luftwaffe was the air force of Nazi Germany prior to and during World War II. Luftwaffe styles of uniform and rank insignia had many unique features between 1935 and 1945. By Hitler's decision on February 26, 1935, the Luftwaffe was to be officially the third branch of the Wehrmacht as of March 1, 1935. The new Luftwaffe was faced with the problem of uniforms, as they wanted a uniform distinct from those of the other two branches of the Wehrmacht and also wanted a clear differentiation in dress of military and civilian flyers.
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 Helmet Steel Airborne Troops (HSAT) is a paratrooper helmet of British origin worn by paratroopers and members of airlanding units. It was introduced in the Second World War by the British Army and was also used by other Commonwealth armies. It continued to be used in the postwar era until the early 1980s. It was in the process of being replaced, with parachute battalions being issued as priority, when the Falklands War occurred. As with the similarly shaped RAC helmet and despatch rider motorcycle helmet, it was initially manufactured by Briggs Motor Bodies at Dagenham.
The M76 Paratrooper helmet is a combat helmet of British origin issued to paratroopers and airborne forces of the British Army.
The M33 Helmet is a steel combat helmet designed in the 1930s in Italy, and was the standard combat helmet of the Regio Esercito up to World War II, and of the Esercito Italiano well into the Cold War.
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 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 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
The M34 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 SSh-39 and SSh-40 were two similar designs of steel combat helmet designed and used by the Soviet Union's Red Army. They were the main forms of helmet in use during World War II and had only superficial differences.