Steel helmet (helmet) of the Red Army of the 1939 model (SH-39)

The original and quite rare helmet in recent years is in almost completely complete condition. The original paint has been preserved by 95%, the stamp is perfectly readable. Mechanical damage to the paint is visible on the sides of the helmet. We do not know the reason for this, perhaps there were Wehrmacht decals on the helmet (there are cases when captured Soviet helmets were used by ROA units, Eastern volunteers ( "freiwillige") as part of the Wehrmacht, as well as in the air defense Germany (Luftschutz)), after which they were cleaned by the owner. Minus the balaclava – part of the chin strap is lost. Guarantee of authenticity.

The disadvantages of the SH-36 were too obvious and it was necessary to make additional research to create a better helmet. Again, many helmets created in Western countries were tested. In 1937-38, several experimental models were created and tested at the Rzhevsky test site. In 1938, the final choice was made. The characteristic crest was removed from the helmet and the contour of the helmet acquired a new shape. This helmet is known as the SH-39. The silhouette of a Russian soldier in it became the image of a victorious warrior for many years. The shape of the new Soviet helmet resembled the Italian steel helmet M 33. Most likely, this model was taken as the basis for creating the helmet. The helmet was made of steel of much better quality than the one from which the SH-36 was made, its weight was 1250 grams, the wall thickness was 1.9 mm.

The balaclava had a dome shape, was made, as a rule, of fabric (the same balaclava could be made of leather, leatherette or waxed fabric), framed in the lower part with a strip of leather or leatherette and had a dome shape. A cloth or felt lining was installed under the fabric. The size of the balaclava was adjusted using a cord located in the upper part of the dome. The fastening of the fabric base was carried out to a steel hoop, which in turn was attached to the helmet surface with three rivets using holders, thus preventing the balaclava from coming into contact with the helmet walls, thereby providing ventilation and performing shock-absorbing functions. The helmet was painted in olive color or khaki, sometimes the contour of a five-pointed star was depicted on the front part of the helmet. On the inside of the helmet, in the occipital part near the lower edge on Soviet helmets, a manufacturer's stamp was affixed, as well as a stamp indicating the size of the helmet.

In the post-war period, the remaining SSH39 underwent factory repairs at the LMZ plant (Lysva), the spheres were repainted anew and a SSH40 (three pillows) was put on them, as a rule, the stamp is 1950g. Such helmets were transferred to educational institutions, the Ministry of Emergency Situations and Civil Defense units