Yugoslavian M59/85 Steel Helmet

The Yugoslavian M59/85 Steel Helmet is a military headgear issued to Yugoslav armed forces from the late 1980s until the country’s dissolution. Based on the earlier M59 model, the M59/85 features several notable updates, including the replacement of the leather liner with a more durable plastic liner system and an improved adjustable chin strap. The shell is constructed from pressed steel, providing reliable ballistic protection for infantry personnel. Its design closely resembles the Soviet SSh-40 helmet, reflecting Eastern Bloc military standards of the period. The exterior is typically painted in olive drab or green, sometimes showing unit markings or identification decals. Ventilation holes are present along the sides of the shell. The M59/85 was widely used during the Yugoslav Wars and remains a recognizable example of late Cold War-era protective equipment. This helmet represents a significant part of Yugoslav military history and is of interest to collectors of 20th-century military gear.