Helmet Italian 1933 with decalo artillery

The original helmet is in very good collectible condition. Original liner. Paint and decal modern. A great item in the ratio "price/quality". The guarantee of authenticity.

In the early 30-ies of the Italian army were equipped with the French Adrian helmet model 1915 and the Italian helmets model 1916. However, the growing needs of the army, as well as the development of more sophisticated models of steel helmets in European countries inspired the Italian government to establish their own steel helmet.

The first experimental model appeared in 1931, the exterior of this helmet is very much like the helmet of the Roman legionaries, the descendants of whom, undoubtedly, were soldiers of the army of Mussolini. Despite the fact that a helmet like Mussolini, he was not accepted in the army, since he had a lot of shortcomings and technical flaws. However, this helmet was the prototype for the creation in 1933 of the basic combat helmet of the Italian army, which had remained a regular helmet of the Italian armed forces until 80-ies. The new helmet was officially marked "steel Helmet model 1933". The helmet was officially introduced by the circular dated 29 November 1934. Delivery of the helmet of this model in the army began in 1937. The new helmet had the original, slightly extended forward in the form, ensuring the silhouette of an Italian soldier awareness and giving a distant resemblance to the Roman legionary army.

The helmet was made of steel alloy and Nickel (there were also hats made of aluminum, which were intended for the officials and the police), the weight of the helmet was 1100-1200 grams depending on the size, wall thickness 1.2 mm. there were three hat size 1 (59-61), 2nd (57-58), 3rd (55-56). The size helmet indicated on the liner. The liner is manufactured from a single piece of sheep skin (in the latter years of the war due to the economic difficulties the skin was replaced by a cloth impregnated with wax) and consisted of eight reeds fastened in the upper part of the cord. Sewed the liner in the occipital part. Characteristically, the helmets made during the war had one vertical line and two horizontal, and in the postwar period, the horizontal lines were connected by additional stitching diagonally to form a letter "Z". The skin color of the liner could be from dark brown to white. The liner, made after the war, were yellowish. The liner had a sufficient number of holes to ensure good ventilation. On the inner side of the liner are installed the felt lining. The attachment of the liner was a custom and completely original for the steel helmets of the time. Leather strip was attached to a double Hoop, or rather to the bottom, which never touched the helmet, thereby providing a good cushioning during the attacks, and air circulation. A second Hoop attached to the helmet shell with three special staves with ventilation holes located on the perimeter of the helmet. Mezhuyev hoops were connected by five vertical metal strips.

Characteristically, helmets supplied to units who fought in Africa had additional fourth air vent. Furthermore, an additional hole in the front had helmets that are allocated to units not directly participating in battles (automotive parts, quartermaster, staff workers, air defense, etc.). Chin strap was made of leather, painted in gray-green color, and consisted of two parts, connected by a rectangular clasp and fastened by means of rectangular rings. Clasp and ring, was painted in the same color as the helmet. The chin strap is set in postwar samples of the helmet were made from tissue, with its long, was regulated through a slide buckle, in addition, after the war chinstrap fastened with "D" - rings.

At different times the Italian helmet model 1933 was painted in different colors. From 1936 to 1940 the helmet was painted in gray-green or light shade in a gray color, from 1940 to 1945 helmet was painted in a gray-green color to the darker shade, since 1947, the helmets were painted khaki, which since the early 50-ies, was replaced by olive green. Hats of officials and police was painted in black color. Often in combat on the helmets was applied camouflage, and just use the regular protective cases. In the Italian army on the front part of the helmet was applied the emblem of the armed forces. However, during the war, the application of emblems was not necessarily in connection with the General mess going on at that time in the army. Since 1944 in the army appear decals. In 1968, the front emblem was canceled completely. Sometimes soldiers used the regular fabric.

The Bersaglieri hats were traditionally decorated with a plume of black cock feathers. Alpini also fastened to the helmet of a cock feather that served as their trademark. Hats model 1933 were exported to Spain during the Civil war of 1936-1939, where they received the first baptism of fire. In addition, helmets of this model were supplied to Finland during the Winter war of 1940. Steel helmet model 1933 has established itself as a high-quality combat steel helmet, which remained in service with the Italian army until 80-ies, when they began to see a new more modern and practical models of helmets.