Italian M33 Helmet

[Flying10uk]

This is my Italian M33 helmet and while I realise that several countries used this style of helmet I am not aware of anything to indicate that this particular helmet is not Italian issue. As can be seen it does appear to be unissued and in nice condition.

[Ovidio]

I have my Grandpa’s at mum’s home. Should check.
The internals look a bit different, but I’m not sure nor an expert.

[Flying10uk]

The internals look a bit different,

Your Grandpa's is likely a much earlier example than mine. Obviously they had a very long production run.

[Aragorn243]

I have two, both in horrible condition, both size 58, leather straps, dark brown leather liners. One has Crown over AT mark on strap holder which confirms it is WWII vintage. The other is in about the same condition. Small vent holes which are clogged, no Z stitching, orange felt under leather, all early WWII indicators.

They are both mostly complete, one is missing half the chin strap, no holes, complete liners but a lot of rust, especially on the inside and corrosion on the aluminum parts. Leather is in poor condition, dry, one strap is torn in half but is complete This one marked P69, the other is marked P30. One has a net. The one with the net was one of the first helmets I acquired but I don't remember where. The second was given to me.

I guess I should work on them to at least get rid of the rust. Externally, they don't look bad, it's the insides that are rough.

[Low & Slow]

Mine has the grey/green leather straps. Would that be WW II issue, or possibly used quite a bit later as well? No markings, aside from the size on the liner.

[Flying10uk]

No markings

Have a look on the rim at the back of the helmet. In your pic it's the part of the rim uppermost. On mine I found a small "M 86" which I haven't seen previously. Not sure what it means but it could be a maker code or the shell size maybe.

[browningautorifle]

Not sure what it means but it could be a maker code or the shell size maybe.

Here's a site with some info, sorry not to be able to point to the spot but there seem to be enough questions this may help to read.

https://www.warrelics.eu/forum/itali...ts-ww2-590256/

[Low & Slow]

Nothing stamped in. It does appear to have been repainted at some point. Closer examination has revealed some sort of emblem that's been covered over on the front of the helmet. I'll see if I can get a pic to show this.

[Aragorn243]

Pull the chin strap brackets away from the helmet wall and look there. Often a date or a manufacturers mark. Not always, one of mine has the manufacturer, the other has nothing. Sometimes there is a stamp on the rough side of the leather liner also.

Z stitching in the rear so likely a late war or post WWII issue but this isn't always accurate either. Z stitch started in 1944-45 I think but went to end of production in most examples.

[Low & Slow]

This one appears to have been refurbed post war, as the felt under the liner is yellow. The stencil painted over might be from an engineer unit, due to the crossed axes under the flaming bomb.