When I was in the army, we wore the steel helmet designed in World War II. One enormous advantage was the the steel pot held water. We could boil water, use it as a sink for washing. It also might deflect shrapnel and bullets misdirected toward the wearer.

Does any currently used helmet by and NATO or Russian armed forces have this useful feature?

plastic canteens also !
I have a WWII stainless steel canteen that I'd like to get more info about it. Made by Volrath for jungle use I was told .
Another stainless steel item is a WWII cooking pot - Latvian army surplus .Any info ?

The old steel pot is not as effective as a modern helmet for stopping bullets but it could do so much more. I've used it to dig holes, take a bath, shave, make popcorn, used with a candle to help heat the pup tent, filled it full of apples from orchards by the road. During the Bulge it was used by one GI to carry beer from the local brewery (they even now have a brand called Helmet Bier). I'm sure there are many other uses for the old pot but those are the ones I remember.

Jerry Liles

Pull up that story online about Helmet Beir.Great story.

The old steel pot could be used as very effective weapon.

They were heavy, uncomfortable and unbalanced. They would bounce around and try to fall off when jogging, and at a full run - as when under fire - were absolutely impossible to keep on.

Good riddance.

I never had the honor of serving (ROTC doesn't count), but when a lad playing army I had a GI helmet and boy I remember that thing bouncing up and down on my little kid noggin when I ran.

Adjust the helmet liner correctly, tighten the chin strap and it works fine. FWIW, when I was running, I usually had other things on my mind besides whether my helmet was bouncing or not.

Worn both types for many years; no the Kevlar helmets do not hold anything as there is no liner to remove. They are made from very thick Kevlar cloth molded in the shape of the helmet, with the ear protectors like the German helmet. Far superior to the steel M1 helmet.
Your canteen is stainless steel and they all were. Can you imagine one made from carbon steel? Wouldn't last long in the field and the water would taste like rust.
Now, yes they are plastic and the water tastes like plastic. I suppose the Infantry uses them; Tankers keep Perrier in the ice chest in the bustle rack.
Tank troops do not run for any reason, other than run to the club, so I have no experience with that. Running is for the Infantry.

quote:

Tankers keep Perrier in the ice chest in the bustle rack.
Tank troops do not run for any reason, other than run to the club, so I have no experience with that. Running is for the Infantry.

Had to chuckle. That's what is called rubbing in salt.

Jim