Original Czechoslovakian Pre-WWII Vz32 M32 Egg-Shell Steel Helmet – Dated 1935 Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very rare Pre-WWII Czechoslovakian Vz32 Steel helmet, sometimes known as the M32, M34, Vz32/34, and other designations. The Vz32 was the last of many Czech helmet designs, and were issued in the 1930’s and saw service right through to the German Invasion. These helmets would be continued to be worn well after with the German Luftschutz and the German Allied Slovak Army on the Eastern Front. After the war these helmets would be adopted by the Civil Defense and Fire Brigade units.

The Vz32 shell is “egg-shell” shaped, unlike many helmets of the day, which had pronounced contouring, front brims, etc. It has a unique 5 pad liner system, which utilizes 5 discrete pads that are riveted to the shell, along with a standard heavy leather split chinstrap attached on bales that are riveted directly to the shell.

This helmet is still in the original Pre-War configuration, with olive paint and the original liner. Interestingly, the soldier who used this helmet sewed some pieces of cloth over the liner pads to make them more comfortable. All pads still have the original horsehair stuffing. The shell has ink-stamped markings on the inside of the shell: S-D-H, which denotes manufacture by “Sandrik in Dolné Hámre” which is in Slovakia. Below that is the insignia of a Lion, which is the acceptance stamp of the Czech Army. The two digit number to the right is the date of issue, in this case 1935.

Most Vz32 helmets were refurbished post war, making this a rare find. The exterior shell retains almost all of the original paint, with a nice patina of age. The chin strap and liner are also in very good condition, with just a bit of staining from age on both. The leather is a bit dry after years of storage.