Bulgaria M36A
This M1936A retains the original WWII liner and chinstrap and paint to the interior and exterior.
The earliest production of M36 helmets began in Czechoslovakia and Germany at three different factories until a press was imported from Germany where production was then started at Kazanlak in late 1935. To differentiate between the A,B and C are as follows:
The "A" had a rolled rim and four large liner retaining rivets and two smaller chinstrap rivets to the exterior.
The "B" had a raw edge rim and three large liner retaining rivets (sometimes four) and two smaller chinstrap rivets to the exterior.
The "C" had a raw edge rim and four small liner retaining rivets and two larger chinstrap rivets to the exterior. All the variations had two large ventilation luggs/rivets (similar to the German M16) in the forward upper position.
See also comparison drawings below..
The M36A and B helmets were supposed to be phased out in the 1950's in favour of the M36C, a lighter helmet that is still seen in service today.
The earliest production of M36 helmets began in Czechoslovakia and Germany at three different factories until a press was imported from Germany where production was then started at Kazanlak in late 1935. To differentiate between the A,B and C are as follows:
The "A" had a rolled rim and four large liner retaining rivets and two smaller chinstrap rivets to the exterior.
The "B" had a raw edge rim and three large liner retaining rivets (sometimes four) and two smaller chinstrap rivets to the exterior.
The "C" had a raw edge rim and four small liner retaining rivets and two larger chinstrap rivets to the exterior. All the variations had two large ventilation luggs/rivets (similar to the German M16) in the forward upper position.
See also comparison drawings below..
The M36A and B helmets were supposed to be phased out in the 1950's in favour of the M36C, a lighter helmet that is still seen in service today.
Photo Courtesy: Teodor Muhovski
