North Korean Korean War Steel Helmet with Net Named to Choi

The North Koreans entered the Korean War in September 1950 with their invasion of the south.

For the five years following the Soviet takeover of the northern half of Korea, the Soviets equipped and trained the North Korean army for this future invasion.

The Soviets left the north in 1950. Prior to their departure,  they delivered a great deal of war aide to the North Korean army.

Included in the aide was this 1949 dated Russian Model 1940 steel helmet. These helmets were basically World War II leftovers that were refurbished in the Soviet Union. We have read that the shells were stripped and repainted and remarked with the date of manufacture, indicating 1949 in this case. In addition new liners and Chinstraps were installed.

There is white, apparently brush-painted, name

최 


on the inside of the helmet which translates to Choi


. The net is the typical Asian cotton helmet net with a round loop on the top as shown.