Description: Chilean vz.32 steel helmet. Surface rust (not active) and damaged decal. Leather is somewhat fragile, but still intact and flexible. Condition is typical, Chilean Army probably stored them in bad conditions. Helmet is painted grey-green outside, "apple green" inside. Name on several liner pads. Paint spot in dome indicate branch of service - originally issued to motorised troops (yellow) and later reissued to an ordinance unit (green), probably around time M1 replace it in frontline units in 50s. Vz.32 was phased out in lower priority units in 60s. Same helmet is shown on the Brendons Helmet website (with some incorrect infos about the branch colours and history, corrected by Chilean collectors and sources). Previous seller bought it from the site owner. Germany sold repainted Czech vz.32 and Erel Vulkanfiber helmets in 1939 in place of the M35 Stahlhelm, which was needed for the planned invasion of Poland. Decals were mistakenly applied on wrong side, so soldiers were ordered to wear them "backward" (Czechs designed it to wear with pad and rivet in front), which gave them undeserved bad reputation as uncomfortable helmet. Never had enough to equip all units, so this model was issued mainly to units of the central and southern districts (others wore the Vulkanfiber helmets even in field). Rare helmet! Please check my other auction for Chilean fieldgear from same time!
Price: 350 USD
Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
End Time: 2024-11-15T18:52:37.000Z
Shipping Cost: N/A USD
Product Images
Item Specifics
All returns accepted: ReturnsNotAccepted
Conflict: WW II (1939-45)
Original/Reproduction: Original
Theme: Militaria
Country/Region of Manufacture: Czechia
