Danish M. 23-41 civil defense helmet

(For the video version, click here)


What's not to like about Denmark? It has a long tradition of standing up to bullies during WWII, and more recently here.


 My introduction to the Danes (aside from Danny Kaye's protrayal of Hans Christian Andersen) was a really cute exchange student when I was in high school.  I decided then that I'd like all things Danish.  My instincts were good.

In my collection I only have two helmets from Denmark.  For many years it was difficult to find them in the States at reasonable prices.  Eventually, as the Danes switched over to composite helmets, and ebay turned the world in to a garage sale, I was able to acquire two of my own including this piece, a Danish M. 23-41.

At the risk of sounding like one of my least favorite ebay dealer dodges, characterized by the phrase"as I'm given to understand",  nonetheless, as I'm given to understand (there, I said it) from other collectors as well as the Marzetti book Combat Helmets of the World (1996, pp. 56-57, fig 23.7) that this particular helmet was used by the Danish resistance movement during World War Two, as indicated by the red stripe painted along the crown of this helmet.

On to the helmet in question.


This distinctive helmet has that unmistakable Danish profile.


Although it affords a great deal of coverage, I find the widely flared skirts restrictive to peripheral vision.


The top view shows the longitudinal stripe to good effect.  The original black, smooth finish, as well as the light weight liner leads me to believe that this helmet did not start its career as a combat helmet but rather a police or civil defense helmet.


The liner is pretty conventional in the European sense.  The leather is in outstanding condition, bright and supple.

A hanging slot in the rear skirt of the helmet.  Hey! go here for a Youtube video of the M.23 produced by a guy in Denmark.

Four fairly diminutive rivets secure the liner to the shell...


passing through these leather washers which serve as spacers between the liner and the shell.

There's a good 1/2 to 5/8 of and inch clearance here, which is good for the health of the wearer's skull.


The liner and the chinstrap couldn't be more different.  The liner is fresh and the strap is cracked and weathered, leading me to believe that the strap predates the liner, which may have been a replacement during the career of this lid.

Unlike the typical European helmet, this one has a dearth of markings, only this single serial number appears lightly on the inside skirt.


The typical drawstring adjustment in the crown of the liner affords varible distance between the top of the wearers head and the shell of the helmet.  This is the only adjustment point available on this liner.  Definately not a "one size fits all" situation.


Altogether a fine looking helmet which may have an interesting past.  I hope more information is forthcoming.

Click here see what makes Denmark so cool.

Nazi Germany M.35 Feldpolizei-Wehrmacht combat helmet

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Long ago I resigned myself to the fact that I'd never have a Double Decal WWII German helmet in my collection for the very simple reason that DD helmets are out of my reach, financially.

All that changed today, but only for 24 hours. Its a helmet Cinderella story. I now have residing in my collection a double decal M.35 police helmet, as an overnight guest.  It must return to its owners tomorrow lest it turns back into a pumpkin.

Here it is, ready for the ball:



Perhaps a little rough around the edges, rusty, and somewhat scuffed up, but still...



the real deal.

Here's how I came by this house guest.

 Two friends of mine just returned from the ancestral home up in Pennsylvania where they were enjoying Christmas with the family. While up there they decided to reclaim some childhood possessions, including this WWII German lid. He was half inclined to give it to me, he was equally inclined to take it in the back yard and use it as target practice. She, however, thought it might be worth something so they brought it to me for my opinion. 

 And I'm so glad that they did.


I was happy to be able to tell them that it is in fact a very collectible helmet.  That made them happy, and they made me happy by letting me bring it home for this photo session.

I expect it will make its next public appearance on ebay.


The helmet is, as can be seen above, completely unrestored, unconserved, and untouched save for the busy hand of neglect.





The shell is completely sound, and retains a great deal of the original paint as well as a subsequent (war-time) layer.


The M31 liner, though present, is in near relic condition.  The 75%  that remains is very brittle.  The chinstrap, however, is delightfully intact.


The chinstrap leather appears sound though quite stiff.  I was not able to discern any makers marks on the strap, and certainly many were not marked to begin with.


As can be seen in this detail shot, the chinstrap still retains very crisp outlines.


The liner drawstring is present and intact.


Many of the liner fingers are still complete, intact though inflexible.


Others are altogether missing from the band, revealing the horsehair cushion.



The size stamp "ET66" is quite evident.  This shot also shows to good effect some of the most pronounced pitting.

The maker code is very crisp and distinct.  I would also note that the "golden" hue of these pictures is a manifestation of the lighting I was using.


The Liner split-pins are present and sound.  The greatest exterior pitting is seen here around the rear split-pin.

Side split-pin.

This view shows the original  green paint underneath the peeling subsequent layer of flat medium green. A careful cleaning of this helmet may restore some of the vibrancy of the original green.

Though a museum curator for 12 years, I was unwilling to attempt even a light toweling of this helmet, I'll leave that for the competent (one hopes) touch of its future owner.


The rolled edge, characteristic of both the M.35 and the M.40.


The dead giveaway for the earlier M.35, however lies here, the applied ventilator hole.  The ventilators in later helmets were stamped.  Compare to my Spanish M.35 as profiled here.

The party decal is still quite distinct, and distinctly disturbing in all of its fascist, bastard, nastiness.

The Police decal is less intact.  Most of the black layer is gone leaving the metallic layer exposed.


Close inspection reveals the German police insignia, evidenced by this fragment of wing and the eagle's feathered neck and head.  Compare to this view from the outstanding website German- Helmets.com


German Feldpolizei take a break from world domination to check their bearings.  Of course we know that they're making a bee-line for the Gulag and a much delayed return home.  Dress warm boys.

As if war isn't unpleasant enough, check out these happy kraut wannabees:

A rather robust Feldpolizei complete with motorcycle coat and gorget. Only to be outdone in enthusiasm by...

this pair of jolly jackbooted Japanese whackaloons.  What a fabulously mixed-metaphor!  My goodness, what would my late parents think? 

We are all certainly entitled to our hobbies.  For some its dressing up and marching around.  For me its collecting combat helmets.  To each his own.

Click here to see many more photos of these Japanese Jerrys. I especially liked the full-size cardboard Hanomag half-track.



This helmet will require some thoughtful conservation after which it will end up being show- piece of someone else's collection (sigh).

Tomorrow I'll return this helm to its owners with my thanks for letting me feature it in this blog entry.  Next Sunday evening I'll return to the regular posting schedule with a two post series on Danish helmets.  After that, I do believe it time for some U.S. Navy M1s!

Until then, best wishes for a happy, prosperous, and peaceful new year.

Mannie

This just in:
They gave me the helmet!


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Don't make me come over there!

I'll be back to regular blogging this coming Sunday.

AND I'M SERIOUS!

T.T.F.N.,

Mannie

Spanish M.42/79 Steel Helmet

Here is a variation on the classic "shell game".

Pictured below are three seemingly identical Spanish helmets; the model 42/79, the German manufactured M. 35, and the "modello Z".

Your objective is to determine which is the M42/79.  It is concealing the image of Francisco Franco.   You may want to go with your instincts on this.

If you instinctively thought "hmmmmm, Franco...far right?"

You would be...

                                     ¡Hola, mi nombre es pequeño Francisco!
Correct!

The M.42/79 is essentially a rehash of that which has gone before (the model Z) with a more highly engineered suspension and chinstrap system.

Its handsome looks still draw from its ancestor the German M.35 which saw Spanish service following the Civil War and accompanied Spanish troops as they assisted the Nazis in their campaign against the Soviets.



Like the "modello Z", the M.42/79 is made of much lighter, thinner steel than its German forebear.

As can be  seen here:

note the bent profile, no doubt after an encounter with an aged Bolshevik.


The liner, though much improved from earlier versions, is still an overly-complex design that provides little of the critical space between the shell of the helmet and the head of the wearer.


Comprised of a leather band, riveted to the shell, the liner is a series of fabric and leather straps radiating toward a hammock-style apex.

The chinstrap is almost identical to the U.S. Army airborne M1C liner jump chinstrap.

The  finish on this particular helmet is much finer than on other examples.  The lack of those typical multiple layers of slopped-on paint lead me to believe that his helmet was in service only a short time.

Spanish police also used the M.42/79 for many years, eventually making the transition to composite helmets:

as seen here actively protecting Spanish society from rampaging gangs of old people.

Speaking of old people who were on a rampage...

now it is time to leave Francisco Franco and his nasty legacy behind as we bid farewell to the Nazi inspired design of the Spanish helmets of the 20th century, and return them to their places in the gallery.

Join me next time for as I begin a two installment series on the Danish helmets in my collection.

provenance:
accession number: MOA hmar249.68.14
Spanish M.42/79 steel helmet
Acquired 2008, ebay
Purchase price :$36.53
Condition: excellent

Helmet Holiday Hiatus

I'm taking the Month of December off, returning with regular weekly posting beginning on January 4.  In the meantime catch up on earlier posts, click on the links below for other great helmet sites and resources.

Otherwise I wish all a happy holiday season!