The main helmets of WWII were the German Stahlhelm, the British Mk II, the Soviet SSh-40, the French Adrian, the Japanese Type 90 and the US M1. Each was adopted at a different time, and several changed during the war. The German Stahlhelm was adopted in 1935, the British Mk II in 1939, the Soviet SSh-40 in 1940, and the US M1 in 1941.
Quick comparison
| Country | Helmet | Adopted | How to recognize it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Germany | Stahlhelm (M35) | 1935 | Deep shell with a flared rim and neck flap; later versions had pressed vent holes |
| Britain | Mk II | 1939 | Modernized from the WWI Brodie; less cover at the back of the head |
| Soviet Union | SSh-40 | 1940 | Thin alloy steel shell; the earlier SSh-36 had a crest on top |
| France | Adrian (M26, M37) | 1926 (M26) | Four-part shape with front and back peaks; front emblem changed in 1937 |
| Japan | Type 90 (often called M30) | 1930 | Oval shape with two side air holes; star emblem for the Army |
| United States | M1 | 1941 | Manganese steel shell with a separate liner |
Germany: the Stahlhelm
The German Stahlhelm, adopted as the M35 in 1935, covered the back of the head and the forehead, with a flared rim and a neck flap. The early shells were made from alloy steel, which made them harder to produce and more costly. In 1940 the Germans simplified the shell, and in 1942 they changed the steel again. Collectors use the labels M40 and M42 for these later versions, and the WWII German uniforms and equipment guide places the helmet alongside the rest of the soldier’s kit. For more on the German helmet, see World War 2 military helmets.
United States: the M1
The M1 was adopted in 1941. Its shell was made of manganese steel, with a separate liner and a chin strap. It was the main helmet for American ground troops for the rest of the war. Specialist helmets were also used, including the paratrooper M1C and the flak helmet worn by some aircrew. For those, see what helmets did Americans use in WWII?
Britain, the Soviet Union, France and Japan
- Britain: the Mk II was a modernized WWI Brodie, worn with the battledress described in British and Canadian WWII uniforms. Its coverage at the back of the head, the ears and the neck was less than the German design, but it stayed in widespread use.
- Soviet Union: the SSh-40 was made of thin alloy steel. For the rest of the Red Army soldier’s kit, see Soviet WWII uniforms and insignia. The SSh-36 had a crest on top, which helps tell the two apart.
- France: the Adrian design dated from WWI. French WWII uniforms covers how it was worn in 1939 and 1940. The M26 was a 1926 update, and the M37 changed the front emblem.
- Japan: the Type 90 was an oval steel helmet with a leather liner. Its front emblem differed by service: a star for the Army and an anchor for the Navy and Marines.
Telling helmets apart
Start with the shape, since it usually shows the country of origin before any markings do. Then check the rim, the vent holes and the peaks. Look at the shell’s stamps and emblems rather than relying on the liner, because liners were often swapped. Replicas exist for most of these helmets, so compare the details with period photos before accepting a helmet as original.
For identification tips and what affects value, see World War 2 military helmets: identification and values.