Original Item: Only One Available. This is the rarest of WWII Soviet Helmets, made for short time between SSH-36 and 40 Models. This is a fine example of a Russian WWII Issue SSh-39 Combat helmet, with correct shell stamping on the rear of the skirt, which we believe reads 22618 (some numbers are mis-struck). It looks to have had service but is still in correct wartime configuration. Size is marked on the liner 58 which is US 7 1/4 (58cm) and offered in very good condition overall. There are no stress cracks, as often seen, there are no dents or damage to speak of, just the usual wear from use and age.
The SSh-39 was of simple, more modern design, and was much easier to manufacture than the SSh-36. The SSh-39 would be the standard design for Soviet helmets for the next 29 years, with only minor changes occurring during that time. It is also the design for the helmet on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Moscow. The helmet was produced primarily in three factories, the Stalingrad Tractor Factory (designated CT in the ink stamp), the Red October Factory (ЗКО) also in Stalingrad, and the Lysva Metallurgical Factory (LMZ). The first liner was an eight-finger leather liner, similar to those of the German M35 to M42 Stahlhelm designs. Next came a short production of an eight-finger liner made of Gralex. The final version of the SSh-39 liner was cloth, similar to the SSh-36 liner. All three variations of the liner were suspended from the helmet by three metal tabs, which were riveted to the shell near the top. This helmet, like the earlier SSh-36, saw action in numerous campaigns before it was phased out in 1942 in favor of the SSh-40.
