Description
Made exclusively by Seimens, the SSK 90 helmet was a short-lived World War II Luftwaffe helmet. It was introduced on 8 May 1941, but withdrawn from service only 18 days later.
Designed to be worn on top of the standard flight helmet, the helmet’s core of interlocking hinged steel plates intended to protect against shrapnel and small-calibre machine gun fire. It was covered by padding and dark brown leather. A large section of padding at the front both provided extra padding in the event of a collision, and served as a “grab-roll” to quickly put on or remove the helmet. On either side was a cut-out for earphones, and a chinstrap used the same components – including buckles, leather, and snaps – found on German paratrooper helmets.
The Luftwaffe adopted these helmets for use on May 8, 1941. Due to their weight (just over 4 pounds), these helmets were withdrawn from service on May 26, 1941, remaining in service for less than a month. These helmets are more rare than any of the standard issue flight helmets due to their limited issuance and use in combat.
Made of steel & leather, this helmet is in EXCELLENT used condition! Some slight wear and marks, but nothing that detracts. The data label remains and clearly indicates, “SSK90”, and will fit size 60-62. No major damage, and the leather remains soft and supple, in a nice, rich, dark brown. Worn in combat, it is missing the chin straps. As mentioned above, the straps were identical to those used on the Fallschirmjaeger Helmet (the only difference being affixed by snaps), so it should be easy to replace, if one wished. I have shown one in use in the last photos. A FANTASTIC addition to any collection or display!
