1st Model M56 Helmet 1959.

Not sure why ive just bought this as apart from it being a helmet it doesnt fit into my collection anywhere . I did a few years ago have a late EG helmet with the different liner so guess i was just curios to see what an early one looked like. Stamped into shell II
8
59

Nice, I have a pretty big east german collection myself and theese things are becomeing harder to find

I gather that these 1st type M56s arent that common unlike the last model which seem to be everywhere.

Correct.

very nice example richard ,ive often wondered how some of these early helmets and liners managed to avoid the later liner upgrade ? i can only assume they were taken out of circulation but i cant imagine put into private collections ,id be interested to hear your thoughts

thunderchild wrote:very nice example richard  ,ive often wondered how some of these early helmets and liners managed to avoid the later liner upgrade ? i can only assume they were taken out of circulation but i cant imagine put into private collections ,id be interested to hear your thoughts

Do not know much about them other than I gather with the plastic one there are 4 different variations between liners and rivet styles etc.

ok mate ,fair enough ,perhaps another member will enlighten me

My guess would be that first pattern liners were replaced as they wore out, but otherwise remained in service alongside the later style helmets and liners. Most of the rivet-less helmets I have handled appear totally unissued, although I doubt that tells us very much. When all of these NVA helmets first became widely available in the early 1990s, I was buying them really without paying attention to the liners. The going rate in my neck of the woods was rarely more than $15 at the time. One of the first ones I picked up had the early style liner, but I only appreciated its relative scarcity much later on.

Also, I have found quite a few helmets where the rivets, while present, no longer serve any purpose, since they are fitted with the later style liners. These shells still have early dates, but who knows when exactly they were reworked...

thank you for your thoughts andrew ,thats a good point regarding the reworked date ,i will have to look over my liner upgraded earlier pattern shell just on the off chance of any ink stampings

I would be interested to here - I will have to check mine as well, perhaps on the side of the leather that is hidden from view.

hi andrew ,well ive done some research ,it would appear my earlier 3 external rivit shell was modernised in the last quater of 1988 IV/Y and my last evolution shell which is dated 1986 also has a liner stamp in the last quarter of the same year IV/P ,have you found any stampings yet on your examples
regards james

Will have to dig my 2 out now and check them.

Just checked under the leather of my early helmet and no ink stamps so an original,non re issued helmet?

Other helmet,no rivets looks to be stamped II/P

Still need to check mine.