Bulgarian M1936 Helmet Type C

The Bulgarian M1936 helmet (officially: Каска М36) was the standard combat helmet of the Bulgarian army during World War II and remained in use in various variants well into the 2000s. The helmet is instantly recognizable by its unique streamlined design, the prominent ridge across the center, and the two large ventilation lugs on the sides.

Although its silhouette makes it a distant relative of the German Stahlhelm, the Bulgarian variant features a shorter, more flared rim.

The Three Main Variants (A, B, and C)

Collectors and historians divide the M1936 helmets into three types based on the rim finish and the liner:

• Type A: This type features a rolled rim along the bottom of the helmet shell. The liner is secured with four large rivets on the outside. This is the heaviest and rarest variant.
• Type B: This type features a straight, unfinished (sharp) rim. The liner is usually mounted with three (sometimes four) rivets. This model served as a transitional step to save on production costs.
• Type C: This is the most widely produced and lightest variant. It features an unfinished rim, a more compact shape, and smaller rivets. The liner was attached to the shell via four internal shock-absorbing metal strips.

Production and History

• Origin: The first batches were produced in Czechoslovakia (at the Sandrik and Brno factories) and Germany (Eisenhüttenwerk Thale), as Bulgaria did not yet possess the proper press machines. In late 1935, Bulgaria purchased a heavy press machine from Germany and installed it in the military factories of Kazanlak, after which production (primarily Type C) took place entirely domestically.
• Characteristics: The helmet originally weighed around 1200 grams and had a steel thickness of 2 mm. The distinctive raised ridge on top was specifically designed to deflect the impact of shrapnel and shockwaves.

Markings and Colors

• Pre-1940 (Axis Powers Period): Originally, the helmets were dark green or grey-green. On the right side, the helmets featured a diagonal decal showing the Bulgarian national tricolor (white-green-red). This official emblem was discontinued around 1940.
• Post-1944 (Communist/Cold War Period): After Bulgaria aligned itself with the Soviet Union, many helmets were reused. The helmets were repainted a lighter, bright pea-green color. A red star was often painted onto the front.
• Colored Versions: Navy sailors sometimes wore light blue versions, while military police and traffic controllers used white helmets.