Helmet models used by Finnish army

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Russian m/17 5000 helmets in Finnish use, 1917 - about 1950's Olive green, weight 1 kg, shell 1 mm pressed steel. Russian army ordered 600.000 helmets of this model from two factories in Helsinki, Finland. They were made by Sohlberg ja Holmberg. As the Russian Revolution and Finnish Civil War broke up, some 500 pieces were still in Helsinki. The Helsinki Red Guards confiscated helmets for their own use. After the Civil War the Helsinki White Guards used them, after that they were worn among others by Helsinki Infantry Regiment and Finnish White Guards. Some were possibly made even after Finnish independence and Civil war. The Finnish Army abandoned them 1920 and sold them over the next two decades to civil defence authorities and fire brigades.

French m/15 Possibly a few thousand helmets in Finnish use, 1919 - about 1950's First steel helmet model in the world, inspired by French firemens' helmets. Original colour horizon bleu, weight 750 g, shell 0,7 mm pressed steel. After WWI most common model among European armies, 20 million helmets were made in France. Finnish Ministry of war ordered 15.000 helmets from France in 1919 (including German models m/16, 17 and 18) In Finnish tests the model gave a very modest protection. In 1920 army decided to have German type helmets instead. During the 1920's these helmets were sold or given to fire brigades and civil defence organizations.

German m/16 About 80000 German/Austrian WWI-model helmets in Finnish use, 1919 - 1960's Green, ventilation holes had long metal sleeves for fixing a frontal armour (sleeves gave the helmet a Finnish nickname "horn helmet") 5 different sizes, shell 1-1,1 mm thick, weight 980-1400 g. A purchase from France in 1919 included some German type helmets. The Finnish Army had models m/16, m/17 and m/18 in use. After its own tests the Finnish Army approved "the German type of helmet to be used by the army" in 1920. In 1922 some 35000 were delivered to Finland, in the end of 1920's army had already received 80000 German helmets. These helmets were dominant types in Winter war 1939-40 and also in use through the Continuation War 1941-44. The remaining German helmets - m/16 and m/17 versions - were used for some time even after WWII, but most were abandoned during 1947-48.

German m/17

Austro-Hungarian m/17 About 80000 German/Austrian WWI-model helmets in Finnish use, 1919 - 1960's Austria-Hungary ordered shells from Germany for models m/16 ja m/18, German and Austrian helmets are almost identical. Chin straps and liners have little differences, Austrian colours were grass green or sand brown. Austrian helmets have a pair of rivets for chin strap at the point where the shell's helm-line is bent. Austrian helmets came to Finland among German types, they were used as German models m/16 ja m/17 (above).

German m/18 Replica

German m/35 More than 50000 German helmets m/35, m/35-40 and m/35-42 in Finnish use, 1941 - 1970's Germany developed a new model based on m/17; m/35 has lower edge, shorter visor, new liner, and ventilation holes are stiffened by shorter sleeves. Field-grey, thickness 1,1-1,2 mm, steel mixed with molybdenum. 5 sizes and 3 models: m/35, m/35-40 and m/35-42 (m/35-40 production was rationalizied, among others sleeves of ventilation holes were left out) Finnish army never purchased m/35 helmets, but small amounts came to Finland in different ways. Army tried to make an order of m/35s' during the Winter War, but Germany directed the order to Hungary. Week before the Continuation War Finland ordered from Germany 25000 pieces of m/35-40 helmets. In summer of 1943 Finland received 24000 German helmets (models m/35-40 and m/35-42). One more batch of German helmets arrived yet in summer of 1944. German m/35-models were still in service for decades after WWII along with Hungarian helmets (65000 helmets all together), some were in use still in 1970's.

Hungarian m/38 75000 helmets in Finnish use, 1940 - 1970's Sometimes called also as "Finnish m/35". Green colour, weight 1050 g. Hungary renewed it's helmet model 1938, following the exampel of German m/35. The shell was made in German design, using softer steel. Hungarian helmet differs from German model by its cotter pins situated behind ventilation holes, and by it's holding loop in the neck. Hungarian liner is a six-strip leather hood (with three cushions) fixed in a steel hoop. Finland tried to buy helmets from Germany in January 1940, but Germany directed the order to Hungary. In February 1940 Finland made an order to two Hungarian factories (Ungarische Waggon und Maschinenfabrik and Mavag) for helmets. Deliveries started immediately in February. 23000 helmets arrived in February 1940, 29000 in March and 23000 in April. During the Continuation War 1941-44 Hungarian m/38 was the most common helmet in Finnish army. After WWII Hungarian model was used until ball-shaped Finnish helmet m/62 begun to replace it. Finnish Army used mixed Hungarian and German helmets as it's basic model until 1960's, some stayed in service until 1970's.

Italian m/33 30000 helmets in Finnish use, 1941 - 1945 Green colour, shell 1,1 mm thick. In early 1930's the Italian design was ahead of it's time. It was the first ball-shaped helmet, and had a new type of liner - fixed in the shell by three rivets with ventilation holes and sleeves. Liner was very flexible and gave a good protection. During 1939-40 Winter war Italy was willing to sell war material to Finland. Between Winter War and Continuation War among other supplies Finland received also 30000 Italian m/33-helmets. The Finnish Army used them during 1941-44 Continuation War. After WWII Finland abandoned mixed and various kinds of models leaving only Hungarian/German models and some Finnish/Swedish type helmets in use. Other models were for example sold to metal industry for raw material.

Czechoslovakian m/34 50000 helmets in Finnish use, 1940 - 1945 Matt khaki varnish coat, weight around 1,1 kg. Model designed in early 1930's, purpose was to protect from bullets. Oval shape with rounded sides to bounce back a bullet from every angle. Shell of 1,1 mm thick chrome-nickel alloy steel. Specially handled steel was elastic and could take a load up to 100 kg, so no edge-reinforcements were needed. Liner had five leather cushions fastened with steel strips and cotter pins. In spring of 1940 Finland bought 50000 helmets offered by a privat commercial broker. Helmets were used during the Continuation War.

Swedish m/21-16 8000 m/21 and m/26 helmets in Finnish use, 1941 - 1945 Sweden started production of a national model soon after WWI. First m/21 was ball-shaped, it had a broad rim, sfiffening ridge at the top and national emblem on front. In a couple of years Sweden introduced a new model, which was more oval shaped. Colour of this new version was light greenish blue, it was made of cromo-nickel steel, and the shell was 1,1 mm thick. Liner was of German type with three leather pads. Photographs show that Finnish troops had some of these helmets from summer 1941. Apparently Swedish Winter War volunteers had left them behind for Finnish use. The Finnish Army had roughly 8000 Swedish m/21 and m/26-type helmets. Helmets were used during the Continuation War.

Swedish m/21-18

Swedish m/26 8000 m/21 and m/26 helmets in Finnish use, 1941 - 1945 In mid 1920's Sweden developed a new helmet based on m/21. It had no pressed sfiffening ridge or national emblem, also liner was fixed in a new way. This version is unofficially called as m/26. Helmets were made by Eskilstuna Stålprssnings Ab (ESAB), Eskilstuna Plåtförändring Ab (EPAB) and Ab Baltic Södertälje. Among about 8000 Finnish used Swedish m/21 models most were m/26 versions. Helmets were abandoned after WWII.

Swedish m/37 20000 helmets in Finnish use, 1941 - perhaps early 1970's Sweden renewed her helmet model again in 1930's, the new ball-shaped m/37 was one of the most advanced and best models of it's time. Helmets were made of Sandviken steel in three deep-hauling phases followed by annealing and calibration to right shape. Colour was matt grey or olive green. Liner consisted of three padding cushions. Finland ordered in spring 1941 20000 helmets from Sweden through Perma Company, they arrived during summer of 1941. Model was used throughout the Continuation War, after WWII some of m/37 helmets stayed in service along with similar Finnish m/40 model. Only in the beginning of 1950's the Finnish Army aimed to standardize helmet models. Troops were to wear either German/Hungarian or Finnish/Swedish type helmets.

Finnish m/40 75000 helmets in Finnish use, 1941 - perhaps early 1970's Finnish helmet production started in 1940, with the help of a Swedish patent. Helmets were made of Swedish steel with the same methods as Swedish m/37, tools were supplied by Bofors. Helmet m/40 was manufactured by Wärtsilä Oy, liners were prodeced by Friitalan Nahka. Colour was olive green, helmets were made in four different sizes. In 1940 Finnish army made an order of 70000 helmets. The order was continued in 1944, then Wärtsilä produced 5000 helmets more. M/40 was most common helmet model in the Continuation War along with Hungarian m/38. After WWII some 6000 "Finnish" type helmets stayed in service, consisting models m/37 and m/40. In 1947 Kone ja Silta Company bought back 50000 m/40 helmets that they had earlier manufactured, they were converted to kettles.

German m/35-40

German m/35-42

Soviet m/36 Soviet Union renewed it's helmet model in 1930's, m/36 had features from German and French helmets. Liner was a textile hood with sweatband, with corrugated iron strips to absorb shocks. Colour was dark green, infantry helmets had a red star with sickle and hammer in front. Finland got some as war booty, but only few were taken in service. Model 1936 was not used in Finnish army, partly because it's strength was questionable, partly because most helmets captured during the Winter War had no liners. State Rifle Factory (VKT) might have refurbished a batch of m/36 helmets for civil defence use.

Soviet m/39 About 30000 helmets in Finnish use, 1941 - 1944 When the Great Patriotic War broke out the Soviet Union already had a new helmet model in use. M/39 was quite modern, third ball-shaped helmet after Italian and Swedish models. Colour was moss-green, weight 1 kg, some helmets had a red star with sickle and hammer in front. Liner was a simplified Italian-type construction, but also some textile hood liners were used. Finnish Army had in use a limited amount of Soviet helmets at the end of Continuation War. Finland had about 34700 war booty Soviet helmets, most of them m/40's. About 20000 helmets were repaired for Finnish troops. Russian helmets were used where there was only little chance of confusion; coastal units, in the navy and among anti-aircraft crews. Armoured units had some Russian helmets too. Soviet models disappeared immediately after Continuation War

Soviet m/40 Renewed m/40 was more ball-shaped than m/39, and the shell was a bit thicker. Instead of element contruction liner the m/40 had three cushions and pads made of artificial leather. Even infantry helmets had no longer a red star with sickle and hammer on front. Model was used in Soviet Union long until it was replaced in the 1960's by a new improved model m/60.

Polish m/31 Finnish army had also small amounts of Polish (about 1000 pieces), Danish etc helmets in use during the Continuation War.

German m/55 50000 helmets in Finnish use, 1955 - 1970's Shape, sizing and steel composition as in German m/35-40. Colour field-grey. Only shells were bought from Germany, helmets were furnished in Finland. Liner had first three leather padding cushions, later a leather hood fixed to a fiber ring. Finnish Army started post-war helmet acquisitions in 1955. German model had a priority, as 90% of helmets in use were German/Hungarian models. Finnish industry had no interest in producing helmets and the most economical foreign quote came from West-German factory Hans Römer, which offered wartime model "Infanteriestahlhelme Deutsches Model". Finnish Army made an order of 50000 helmets. These helmets stayed in service as long as army had any German models in use. Most are still stored.

Swedish m/62 70000 helmets in Finnish use, 1962 - about 1990's Model is in principal similar to Swedish m/37 helmets purchased in 1941. Colour is matt green. Finland had intention to start her own production of German type helmets in 1959. As domestic production was delayed army decided to order from Eskilstuna Stålpressnings Ab, Pressbolaget Eskilstuna 20000 Swedish helmet shells in 1962. Swedish helmet met the new requirements better than German model, and it was also cheaper and lighter. Maximum weight was approximately 970 g. Helmets were made during 1962, at the end of the year Finnish army had received shells for 20000 helmets. Helmets were furnished in Finland with J/53-Schweden -liners, delivered by Schubert-Werk KG in Germany. It is a component liner with plastic rings, paddings of foamed plastic and top-of-the-head bands made of cotton.

Finnish m/62 Total amount ?, 1963 - about 2000 "M/62" is almost identical to it's Swedish example. In Finnish m/62 the profile is not as ball-shaped, it is more gently sloping on front and steeper in the back. The difference is difficult to see by eye. Finnish helmets were made in Järvenpää factory of Wärtsilä Oy from steel provided by Swedish company Fagersta Bruk Ab. Steel was presslathed to thickness of 1,1-1,2. Helmet met international standards of protection calibre. The shell was treated with red anticorrosive agent coated matt green at first, matt grey later on. Two types of liners were used. Installation started in 1965 with a domestic type developed by Finnish Defence Staff. This liner was made by Friitalan nahka. From year 1971 onwards German type Schubert-Werk I/608 liners were used. Helmets were made in two sizes: 69, weighting 960 g without liner and 1120 g with liner, and 72, weights being 1000 and 1190 g. The Finnish Army decided in 1962 to purchase "... to be used along with German type helmets ... a more modern Swedish and also Finnish made steel helmet type". At first Wärtsilä Oy Kone ja Silta offered to produce 30000 helmet shells without liners. Acquisitions started in 1963, "m/62"-helmets were made about 20 years without interruptions. Army had made an own model m/62 for dispatch riders, with two liners within each other. A simple top-of-the-head cotton band liner was attached to the shell, and a civilan-type motorbike helmet leather liner was sewn to this.

Finnish m/92 Finnish composite helmet, also followed by models 96 and 99.

Finnish helmet liners
Finnish military head wear
Some helmets from a private collection "Pottakokoelma"

Pottia.net