San Joaquin Valley Library System

MODERN MILITARY HELMETS

The modern era of the protective military helmet dates from 1915, when Intendant-General August Louis Adrian of the French Army introduced a steel cap that could be worn under the usual cloth kepi for protection against shell fragments. The military helmet became ubiquitous by the end of World War I, and remains in near universal use with today's armed forces. It has saved the lives of uncounted thousands of soldiers.

The end of the Soviet hegemony, along with the conversion to helmets made from advanced synthetic fibers, has made a greater variety of steel helmets available to today's militaria collectors than ever before.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Clawson, Robert. Russian helmets: from kaska to stalshlyem 1916-2001. R. James Bender, 2002.
Radovic, Branislav. German helmets of the Second World War vol.1: M1916/18, M1932, M1935, M1940, M1942, M1942/45. Schiffer, 2002.
Radovic, Branislav. German helmets of the Second World War vol.2: Paratroop, Covers, Liners, Makers, Insignia, etc. Schiffer, 2002.
Saunders, Anthony. Dominating the enemy: war in the trenches 1914-1918. Sutton Publishing, 2000.
Tubbs, Floyd and Bob Clawson. Stahlhelm. [revised edition] Kent State University Press, 2000.
Armold, Chris. Painted steel: steel pots II. R. James Bender, 2000.
Haselgrove, Michael and Branislav Radovic. Helmets of the First World War: Germany, Britain and their allies. Schiffer, 2000.
Hennequin, Roland. French military helmets of the XX century: part one 1900-1944. IDR Publications, 1999.
Soulier, Jean-Paul. A collector's guide to Swiss military helmets 1916-1999. Editions a la Carte, 1999.
Reynosa, Mark. Post-World War II M-1 helmets: an illustrated study. Schiffer, 1999.
Reynosa, Mark. The PASGT helmet. Schiffer, 1999.
Rowe, David. Head dress of the British heavy cavalry. Schiffer, 1999.
Armold, Chris. Steel Pots: the history of America's steel combat helmets. R. James Bender, 1998.
Lucy, Roger. Tin lids: Canadian combat helmets. Service Publications, 1997.
Moran, Pat. German headgear in World War II: a photographic study of German hats and helmets. [2 vols] Schiffer Publishing, 1997.
Reynosa, Mark. US combat helmets of the 20th century: mass-production helmets. Schiffer Publishing, 1997.
Bruyelle, Frederic et al. Les casque de l'armee francaise 1915-1945. E.S.P., 1997.
Roudasmaa, Stig. Teraskypara Suomen puolustusvoimissa [The steel helmet in the Finnish Defense Forces]. Stig Roudasmaa, 1996.
Plasseraud, Pierre-Paul Struye and Jean Dagnas, eds. Casques de combat: tome 3. Editions PSD, 1996.
Leone, Vincent, ed. East German headgear. Leone, 1996.
Hicks, Kelly. SS helmets: a collectors guide. Reddick Enterprises, 1996.
Nemec, Brian. Helmzier: German military helmet plates, 1842-1918. Nemec, 1996.
Marzetti, Paolo. Elmetti da combattimento di tutto il mondo: combat helmets of the World.[bilingual edition] Ermanno Albertelli, 1996.
Reynosa, Mark. M-1 helmet: a history of the US M1 helmet in World War II. Schiffer Publishing, 1996.
Skotte, Anders. German Luftwaffe flight headgear of World War II: a collectors guide. Anders Skotte, 1996.
Prodger, Mick. Vintage flying helmets. Schiffer, 1995.
Baer, Ludwig. Vom stahlhelm zum gefechtshelm: eine entwicklungsgeschichte vom 1915 bis 1993. L. Baer, 1994.
DeLaurant, David. "British military body armor, 1915-1945". Military Illustrated, December 1993, pp. 30-33.
Kijak, Jacek. Helmy Wojska Polskiego 1917-1991. Wydawnictwo Bellona, 1993.
Wannewetsch, Walter and Joachim Hilsenbeck. Die militarischen kopfbedeckungen, 1869-1919. 1993.
DeLaurant, David. "Flak jackets". Military Illustrated, August 1992, pp. 37-41.
Stanton, Shelby. U.S. Army uniforms of the Korean War. Stackpole, 1992.
Bossi-Nogueira, Enrico. Storia dell 'elmetto Italiano: storia ed evoluzione degli elmi e delle corazze del combattente Italiano NELXX secolo. RARA, 1991.
Plasseraud, Yves, Pierre-Paul Struye and Jean Dagnas, eds. Casques de combat: tome 2. Editions PSD, 1991.
Wilson, Kit. SS headgear: a collectors guide. Reddick Enterprises, 1990
Calkins, Brian. Collecting military headgear of the First World War, 1914-1918. Andrew Mobray, 1990.
Sweeting, C. G. Combat flying equipment. Smithsonian Instution Press, 1989.
Skotte, Anders. Collectors guide to Scandinavian military helmets: volume one Denmark and Norway. Anders Skotte, 1989.
Stanton, Shelby. U. S. Army uniforms of the Vietnam War. Stackpole, 1989.
11th International symposium on ballistics, Brussels (Belgium) Congress Centre May 9, 10, 11, 1989.
Stoff, Joshua. "American aviators in armor". American Aviation Historical Society, Spring 1987, pp. 34-41.
Chappell, Mike. Field service head-dress, 1902 to the present day. Wessex Military Publishing, 1987.
Dewar, Michael. Weapons and equipment of counter-terrorism. Arms and Armour Press, 1987.
"'Tin lid' without steel". Military Technology, November 1987, pp. 92-93.
Correspondence and reports relating to the subject of protective body armor. U.S. Army Military History Institute, 1986.
Grancsay, Stephen. Arms and armor. The Museum, 1986.
Glines, C. V. "Brain buckets". Air Force, August 1986, pp. 87-90.
Baer, Ludwig. History of the German steel helmet. R. James Bender, 1985.
Rankin, Robert H. Official price guide to military collectibles. House of Collectibles, 1985 [other eds. also].
Plasseraud, Yves, Pierre-Paul Struye and Jean Dagnas, eds. Casques de combat: tome 1. Charles-Lavauzelle, 1984.
Kraus, Jürgen, ed.Stahlhelme vom Ersten Weltkrieg bis zur gegenwart. Bayerisches Armeemuseum, 1984.
Dunstan, Simon. Flak jackets. (Man At Arms Series #157) Osprey, 1984.
Marzetti, Paolo. Elmetti di tutto il mondo. Ermanno Albertelli, 1984.
Müller, Heinrich, and Fritz Kunther. Europäische helme. Militärverlag, 1984.
Andrews, Peter. "The new army helmet". American Heritage, August/September 1984, pp. 86-88.
Davis, Brian L. British Army uniforms and insignia of World War II. Arms and Armour Press, 1983.
Goodapple, Terry V., William R. Maertz, and Ronald J. Weinand. German helmets 1933-1945: volume two. Goodapple, Maertz, and Weinand, 1983.
Halloran, Richard. "New U.S. troop helmets termed defective". New York Times, December 8, 1983, sec. I, pg. 6.
Southee, Robert C. "The steel pot". American Legion, February 1982, pp. 24-25.
Goodapple, Terry V., and Ronald J. Weinand. German helmets 1933-1945. Goodapple and Weinand, 1981.
Tavard, Christian H. Casques et coiffures militaires Français. Grancher, 1981.
Laible, Roy C., ed. Ballistic materials and penetration mechanics. Elsevier Scientific, 1980.
Weld, Jim. Flying headgear of the world 1934-45. Jim Weld, 1980.
Zentner, Rolf-Leonhard. Deutsche militärhelme 1895 - 1975. Wehr and Wissen, 1980.
Dewar, Michael. Internal security weapons and equipment of the world. Charles Scribner, 1979.
Myers, Mike and Robert Bruce. "American fighting helmets". Combat Illustrated Winter 1979, pp. 45-48, 80-83.
Thaler, Franz. Stahlhelme: von 1915 bis zur Gegenwart. Jörg Nimmergut, 1978.
Baer, Ludwig. Geschichte des deutschen stahlhelmes: von 1915 bis 1945. L. Baer, 1977.
Dean, Bashford. Helmets and body armor in modern warfare. Carl J. Pugliese, 1977.
McManus, Lawrence R., P. E. Durand, and W. D. Claus. Development of a new infantry helmet. Army Natick Research and Development Command, 1976; AD A026 065.
Goldfarb, Michael A., et al. Body armor; medical assessment. Edgewood Arsenal, 1976.
Baer, Ludwig. Deutsche stahlhelm: entwicklungsgeschichte in bildern. Journal-Verlag Schwend, 1975.
Bossi-Nogueira, Enrico. L'elmetto Italiano 1915 - 1971. Intergest, 1975.
Alesi, Anthony, et al. New materials and construction for improved helmets. Army Materials & Mechanics Research Center, 1975; AD A018 958.
Mesny, Francois. Casque Allemand de 1915 a nos jours. F. Mesny, 1975.
Personnel armor; a DDC bibliography. Defense Documentation Center, 1974; AD 787 300.
Marzetti, Paolo. Elmetti 1915 - 1973. Ermanno Albertelli, 1973.
Watanabe, Tatsuo, Masatomo Saiki, and Saburo Kondo. Imperial Japanese Army and Navy: uniforms and equipment. Sankei Shimbun, 1973.
McManus, Lawrence R. Protective helmets of NATO and other countries. Army Natick Research and Development Command, 1973; AD 756 418.
Houff, Charles, and Joseph P. Delaney. Historical documentation of the infantry helmet research and development. Human Engineering Laboratory, 1973.
Tubbs, Floyd R. Stahlhelm. Floyd Tubbs, 1971.
Wilkinson, Frederick. Battle dress. Doubleday, 1970.
Lastnik, Abraham L. A history of the development of an armor ensemble for mine clearance personnel. Army Natick Research and Development Command, 1970; AD 729 353.
Wood, N. "Head-to-toe protection". Machine Design, March 14, 1968, pp. 30-32.
Arnold, Rudy. "What tomorrow's GIs will wear". Mechanix Illustrated, March 1962, pp. 65-67.
Coates, James B., and James C. Beyer, eds. Wound ballistics. U. S. Government Printing Office, 1962.
Rankin, Robert H. "Armor for the modern fighting man". Hobbies, October 1961, pp. 110-111; and November 1961, pp. 112-113+.
Di Paolo, Mario. Study of body armor for mine clearance personnel. Army Natick Research and Development Command, 1958.
Lewis Frederick J. Military helmet design. Naval Medical Field Research Laboratory, 1958.
Ward, Gordon B. Personnel anti-fragmentation bibliography. Library of Congress Technical Information Division, 1955.
Link, Mae M., and Halbert A. Coleman. Medical support of the Army Air Forces in World War II. U. S. Government Printing Office, 1955.
The history of the Medical Department of the United States Navy in World War II. U.S. Navy Medical Department, 1953.
Holmes, R. H. "Wound ballistics and body armor". JAMA, September 13, 1952, pp. 73-78.
Holmes, R. H. "Need for body armor". Combat Forces Journal, September 1952, pp. 19-23.
Hitchman, Norman A. The military value of body armor. Johns Hopkins University, 1950.
Hitchman, Norman A. An estimate of the probable savings in infantry battle casualties by body armor. Johns Hopkins University, 1949.
Grow, Malcolm C. "The use of body armor in aviation during wartime". Journal of Aviation Medicine, December 1946, pp. 500-503.
Record of Army Ordnance Research and Development; Volume 2: Small arms and small arms ammunition, book I, section 3: Helmets and body armor. Ordnance Dept., U. S. Army, 1946.
Grow, Malcolm C., and R. C. Lyons. "Body armor; a brief study of the development". Air Surgeon's Bulletin, January 1945, pp. 8-10.
Griffin, Alexander. Out of carnage. NY: Howell, Soskin, 1945.
Gregg, Annie J. Project supporting paper relating to helmets and body armor. Ordnance Dept., U. S. Army, 1945.
Sullivan, J. F. Resume of programs on development of body armor undertaken at Watertown Arsenal during World War II. Watertown Arsenal Labs, 1945; AD A954 943.
Helmets and body armor. US Army, Chief of Ordnance, 1945.
"Fabricating and finishing new M-1 soldier's helmet". Metals and Alloys, May 1944, pp. 1137-1140.
Restarski, J. S., and M. C. Shelesnyak. A visor for the standard M-1 helmet to prevent injuries to the face. Naval Medical Research Institute, 1944.
Body armor ("Flak Suits"). [videotape of training film] U. S. Army Eighth Air Force, 1944, rereleased by Boomerang Video Pubs.
"New combat helmets". Steel, October 5, 1942, pp. 122-123+.
"Detroit sculptor designs helmet for navy's anti-aircraft gunners". Life, August 10, 1942, pp. 82-85.
Studler, Rene R. "The new combat helmet". Army Ordnance, May/June 1942, pp. 931-934.
Bailey, K. V. "Modification of the regulation army steel helmet and boots". Journal of the Royal Army Medical Corps, September 1940, pp. 160-171.
Walker, Kenneth M. "Protection of the soldier in wartime". Proceedings, Royal Society of Medicine, July 1940, pp. 607-614.
Saleeby, W. C. "Light armour in modern warfare". British Medical Journal, June 1940, pg. 1069.
Cruise, R. R. "A visor for the prevention of war blindness". British Medical Journal, May 18, 1940, pg. 825.
Walker, Kenneth M. "The role of light armour in modern warfare". British Medical Journal, April 6, 1940, pp. 585-586; and June 15, 1940, pg. 992.
Grancsay, Stephen. The Bashford Dean Collection of arms and armor. Southwood, 1933.
Hanson, A. M. "A plea for an improved steel helmet in the next war". Military Surgeon, December 1923, pp. 608-611.
"Nine million Hadfield manganese steel helmets". Mining and Metals, January 1920, sec. 1, pp. 33-34.
Saleeby, C. W. The whole armour of man. Grant Richards, 1919.
Crowell, Benedict. America's munitions 1917-1918. U. S. Government Printing Office, 1919.
"Our most fashionable hat for 1918". Scientific American, January 26, 1918, pp. 84+.
"Tommies now use chainmail visor". New York Times, August 5, 1917, sec. I, pg. 4.
"Manufacture of steel helmets for the French soldiers". Scientific American, November 27, 1915, pp. 468-469.

LINKS

20th century combat helmets
http://home.c2i.net/rrynning/
Combat helmets of the world [3-volume book series]
http://members.aol.com/USTYRE29/Cascencyc/ppsus.html
Alex D's Casques de Combat
http://alexdhelmet.free.fr
US combat helmets website
http://www.helmets.mar-prod.com/
Use of the German WW1 helmet by the Finnish Army
http://gallery.uunet.be/ww1/jukka/jukkahelmetgallery.htm
Steel pots website
http://www.steelpots.com/
German helmets
http://www.german-helmets.com/
German steel helmets: 1916-1960
http://meltingpot.fortunecity.com/utah/894/helmethistory.htm
Finnish helmets
http://www.pottia.net/pottia/finnhelm.htm
Teodor's Bulgarian helmets
http://helmets.0catch.com/
Finnish helmet junkyard
http://netti.nic.fi/~junkyard/helmets.html
Jeanne d'Arc M45 helmet
http://debellocollections.free.fr/DBC95-Casque-FR-mle45.htm
Helmet collectors/Yahoo
http://clubs.yahoo.com/clubs/militaryhelmetcollectorsclub
Greg Pickersgill's Helmet Collection
http://www.gostak.demon.co.uk/helmets/helmets1.htm
Odyddio's helmet collection
http://it.geocities.com/odysseios
Joseba Revuelda's collection
http://www.cascoscoleccion.com/portada.htm
Stefan's Helmet Collection
http://www.geocities.com/mil4sale/index.html
L'Elmetto - Michele Tagliavini's Helmets Page
http://www.tagliavini.fsnet.co.uk/
US Medic Helmets of World War II
http://home.att.net/~medichelmet/

Special thanks to Greg Pickersgill for providing many additional links to the above list.

The preceding information was derived from the backfiles of the San Joaquin Valley Information Service.
We hope you will find it useful, both as an introduction and as a guide for further study.
Please consult with your local public library about obtaining copies of the works cited.

Revised 5/2003 DJD