M59/85
 | The topic of this article may not meet Wikipedia's notability guidelines for products and services. (January 2017) |
| M59/85 | |
|---|---|
 M59/85 Helmets | |
| Type | Combat helmet |
| Place of origin | Yugoslavia |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1958–present |
| Used by | See Users |
| Wars | Yugoslav Wars Operation Iraqi Freedom |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 1.5 kg (3.3 lb) |
The M59/M85, also known as the NE44 or M44,[1] is a Yugoslav steel combat helmet which was produced between 1958–59 and 1985. They were commonly used in the Yugoslav Wars.
Specifications
[edit]
M59
[edit].svg)
The helmet's shape was inspired by the Spanish M34 helmet, sharing very similar profiles, with cut down edges. The liner is a copy of the American M1 helmet's webbing system.[2] The webbing is attached to the helmet with rectangular retention washers. The original models had red stars stenciled on them. Repurposed M59 helmets often incorporated Yugoslavian decals/stickers in order to match the current belligerent.[2]
M85
[edit]The M85 Is a modernization of the M59 design, trimming down the rear of the helmet's skirt to make it more comfortable to lie prone, and utilizes a slightly modified liner using clips to keep the leather sweatband in place. In 1989, a Kevlar version of the M85 was introduced (designated as M89). The shape of these helmets is identical to the steel M85, though much thicker and with external rivets to mount the lining. They would be issued alongside M59s and M85s until they were able to be mass-produced.
Users
[edit]Current
[edit]
Serbia - M59 Used in limited capacity today
Former
[edit]
Serbia and Montenegro
Croatia - Used the M59 during the Croatian War of Independence[3]
Republika Srpska - Used the M59 during the Yugoslav Wars[4]
Macedonia - Used the M59 in the 1990s[5]
Bibliography
[edit]- Thomas, Nigel; Mikulan, Krunoslav (2006). The Yugoslav Wars (1): Slovenia & Croatia 1991–95. Bloomsbury Publishing. ISBN 978-1841769639.
- Thomas, Nigel; Mikulan, Krunoslav (2013). The Yugoslav Wars (2): Bosnia, Kosovo and Macedonia 1992–2001. Bloomsbury Publishing. ISBN 978-1472801968.
References
[edit]- ↑ "helmet, steel, Serbian Army, Yugoslavian M44 pattern". Imperial War Museum. Retrieved September 22, 2026.
- 1 2 "Cold War Era: Yugoslav NE44 Helmet". Archived from the original on February 1, 2022.
- ↑ Thomas & Mikulan (2006), p. 61.
- ↑ Thomas & Mikulan (2013), p. 27.
- ↑ Thomas & Mikulan (2013), p. 54.
External links
[edit]- Yugoslavia M59/85 at brendonshelmets.weebly.com
 | This European military article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by adding missing information. |
 | This Yugoslavia-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by adding missing information. |