The steel helmets M54 and M56 of the GDR were based on the experimental model B / II, which had been developed during the Second World War by Professor Kiesan in the Eisenhüttenwerk Thale / Harz. In the mid-1950s the steel helmet M56 was introduced in the GDR on the basis of these ten years. There were two explanations: on the one hand, the well-known steel helmet M56 (device 604 in the internal correspondence) used in the NVA until 1990, and a steel helmet flattened on the top as in previous models of the Wehrmacht Produced in small numbers and distributed to units of the Kasernierten Volksspolizei. Compared to other steel helmets, the M56 stood far from the head, which meant that there was an increased risk of sticking with the edge of the helmet, for example when jumping into a trench. Cervical vertebral injuries would have been the probable consequence of such a hanging with the helmet. To reduce this risk of injury, the helmet was designed to detach the bell from the lining (which remained on the head), thus severing the helmet from the head. The helmet and food remained undamaged and could be reassembled. Please use the photos as an integral part of this description. Check our other items and save on shipping