WW2 Original Finnish Army Named WW1 German M16 Steel Helmet M18 Liner 1944 War

The helmet is model M16. The helmet has a typical Finnish overpainting used in World War II. Finland bought 80,000 German military helmets in the 1920s, so some were already in need of overpainting in the 1940s.

The size of the steel helmet is 64. The liner and the chin-strap have been replaced on the front line.

The liner (size 66) of the M18 is too big for this helmet, so the metal rim is bent. One metal rim rivet is missing on the left side. The rivet on the right side is a special front line made.

Likewise, the rivet at the back is special in design. I have seen one WW2 era Finnish army photo showing similar front line made rivet. The fastening strap of one pad is detached. It is easy to fix. The front cushion has a sewn-on tag with the number 66.

Finnish soldiers marked their own equipment with these sewed cloth numbers. All three leather parts are still ok condition. The chin strap is dry but complete. Completely untouched and unprecedented helmet from 1944. The initials of the helmet owner can be found on the helmet.

He was wounded in the belly of a Russian submachine gun in the summer of 1944 in Tali-Ihantala. The medics quickly delivered him for field hospital, so he survived the war. He entered the service in the summer of 1941 at the age of 18 and was wounded in the belly in the summer of 1944 at the age of 21.

I bought this helmet from the veteran son. I have not bought any helmets from WW2 vets or their relatives since 2002, so this is a real McCoy!

Tali-Ihantala 1944 served Finnish army helmet with known history! This item is in the category "Collectibles\Militaria\WW II (1939-45)\Original Period Items\Russia\Hats & Helmets". The seller is "lipfertjg52" and is located in this country: FI.

This item can be shipped to North, South, or Latin America, all countries in Europe, Japan.