Description
Original Item: In another military antiques coup, IMA has just acquired the last of all the known WWII helmet stocks from the government of Finland. These helmets are 100% genuine WW2 issue Hungarian M38 shells.
While the helmets are totally genuine the painted skull and bones have been newly replicated. Be sure to see the period photograph of Finnish JR46 soldiers with the skull painted on their helmets.
This helmet was in use with the Finnish Infantry Regiment 46 during the Continuation War from 1941-1944. The skulls were noted known among the Finns that some sources claim the I/JR 46’s unofficial nickname was “Pääkallopataljoona”, skull battalion. This regiment was commanded by Major Alfons Aleksander Sundblad and the skull was it’s unofficial insignia.
The use of the skull by the Finns on the M40 helmet can also be seen in a period photograph of the Finnish 4th Division, Kev Os. 4 (Light Unit Number 4) whose primary role was armed reconnaissance to protect the main infantry body. Kev Os.4 (4th Kevyt Osasto) rapidly acquired the nickname Belaya Smjert, or “White Death,” from their Soviet opponents in the 1939–1940 Winter War between Finland and the USSR following a series of deadly hit and run attacks by the unit’s highly mobile ski troops. The members of Kev Os. 4 enthusiastically adopted…
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