Hełm wz. 31

The hełm wz. 31 (helmet, 1931 pattern) was the basic combat helmet of the Polish Army before the outbreak of World War II and during the Invasion of Poland. The helmet became the basic type of combat headgear for Polish military formations in the 1930s and during the early stages of World War II. It was also exported to Persia, Albania and Republican Spain. By September 1939 approximately 320,000 helmets were delivered to the Polish Army.

wz. 31
The wz.31 helmet with grainy Salamandra surface
TypeCombat helmet
Place of originPoland
Service history
In service1933-1960'
Used bySee Users for details
WarsWorld War II
Production history
Designed1930-1931
ManufacturerHuta Ludwików
Huta Silesia
Produced1931-1939
No. produced320 000 (1939)
Variants
  • wz. 31
  • wz. 31/50
Specifications
Weight1,3 kg

While it was not the most common helmet in Polish service during World War II (in 1939 most of the mobilised soldiers were issued old French Adrian helmets), it became somewhat iconic and widely regarded in Poland as one of the symbols of Polish resistance. Because of this, the hełm wz. 67 designed in the late 1960s was based on the wz.31's silhouette.

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