i know that steel helmets werent meant to stop bullets, but i was wondering do they have an value whatsoever for stopping bullets, or is that just yet another thing that hollywood made up(like the omaha beach scene in saving private rian)
They are meant to protect from shrapnel and flying objects,or an enemy's hit to the head. Not meant for protection against bullets [we didn't think so] but at the right angle you could get lucky. What they are useful for is boiling water for coffee etc. Shaving taking a who/e's bath and in the field very handy to have. The bad thing about pots is wearing,you must get accustomed to the weight on your head and neck. You don't think you ever will but finally you do,and because it's many uses and you must wear it,you do!
richard S is right. They were designed to deflect shrapnel more than anything else, but I have seen few cases where a round striking at the right angle was deflected enough to safe the soldier. The new Kevlar helmets perform much better, I have seen them stop an AK 47 round (7.62x39MM) and they will stop most military handgun rounds. shoot safe
Steel helmets were made to stop shrapnel; steel fragments from artillery bursts. They were never meant to stop bullets and most modern rifle rounds will penetrate a steel helmet with ease. The US went to Kevlar helmets for lighter weight and better ballistic protection. Some helmets will deflect handgun rounds. Over half of combat injuries were caused by artillery, so the thinking was to reduce head injuries from shrapnel.
