WW2 German Helmet Production

I noticed part of this clip on the "World at War series" and found it on Youtube. What is interesting is how labour intensive the manufacture of the shell is.

How German Helmets Were Made During WWII - YouTube


Also interesting is the hardening of the shell which is included in this 2nd clip. Not shown is any tempering of the shell, after hardening, which is a normal process after hardening steel to make the steel less brittle. Notice the quenching of the helmet shells into an oil quench, as one would expect, indicated by the "flaming on the surface of the liquid, rather than a water quench. One does see a number of relic WW2 German helmets for sale on eBay that have sustained battle damage in which the shell appears to have "shattered" and failed. This could be the result of the shells being hardened during manufacture but not tempered, i.e. over-hard.

I have seen it stated that the type of steel used for the M42 helmet shell changed but I do not know if this was the time that heat treatment was introduced or changed for the shells.

Производство касок в Германии - The German helmet Production in WW2 - YouTube

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Originally Posted by Flying10uk

What is interesting is how labour intensive the manufacture of the shell is.

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What I saw in the first video was a kettle factory. Then they removed the handles and spun them on a lathe to make helmets out of them. Is that accurate? :eek: - Bob

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Originally Posted by USGI

What I saw in the first video was a kettle factory. Then they removed the handles and spun them on a lathe to make helmets out of them. Is that accurate? :eek: - Bob

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I think that it is helmets being made in a kettle factory rather than out of kettles. Either way it appears labour intensive.

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Originally Posted by USGI

What I saw in the first video was a kettle factory.

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The first part was of a factory that made kettles from helmets. Later it also described repairs. I'd seen this one before, back in Germany, as part of a report on postwar reemployment and recovery jobs.

Here are a couple of examples were the helmet shell appears to have failed which could have been the result of the steel being over hard.

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Originally Posted by matthanne1

The first part was of a factory that made kettles from helmets.

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I looked at it again. Still looks like a kettle went on the lathe and came off as a helmet. I'll have to have my son-in-law take a look at it. He understands German. :dunno: - Bob

You could be right and it could be a compilation of film clips in the first video. I found the clip that appeared to be on the World at War series, plus the also 2nd clip. I know that some kitchen utensils were made from helmets post WW2 and it could be that some Luftschutz helmets were made from kitchen utensils during WW2. The radial band round the Luftschtz type helmet would have to be "rolled/spun" on the helmet as it would not be possible to form it on in a press.

Such was the shortage of pretty much everything, including kitchen utensils, immediately after the German surrender many helmets were converted. In my garage I have a 'pot' with bits & pieces in it which is a German helmet converted into a colander. I'll try & get a photo of it.

There it is..........whatever else it is it's definitely original!

I've heard about those...

Probably a little more unusual in being a para helmet shell. I did entertain thoughts of removing the handles & feet & welding up all of the holes. It would be possible, but in the end I decided to just leave it as it is. I have another original FJ helmet shell that would be a better prospect for restoration, if I ever get around to it.

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Originally Posted by Roger Payne

I did entertain thoughts of removing the handles & feet & welding up all of the holes.

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It still ends up being a restoration and although scarce, this is another story completely. I had heard of people seeing para shells being used as flower pots on Crete...

I was happy with paying just £50 for a reproduction para helmet. The quality is excellent.

Posted in the The Screening Room October 5th,2009.

Manufacture of German Military Helmets (WWII Archive Footage)

Regards,
Doug