Loading Spinner

Military Hats & Helmets

The military is full of fascinating headwear. Hats and helmets vary greatly among militaries because different branches, or even different units of the same branch, force will often wear different headwear. Hats and helmets changed drastically over the last few hundred years, leaving hundreds of different historical and modern hats and helmets available.

Helmets changed as technology evolved to provide greater protection to soldiers, marines, and sailors. These evolved from bronze and steel to Kevlar and beyond. Other headwear was mostly ornamental, sometimes featuring rows of feathers, patches, or other ornaments. Hats served multiple purposes, some differed to distinguish ranks while others were used by commanders to determine what units were on the battlefield.


Quick Facts

  • The U.S. Army’s Green Berets are special forces distinguished by their headwear
  • Spartans used different Mohawk-style headdresses on their helmets to show rank
  • The Modern combat helmet, the ACH, is made primarily from Kevlar and twaron, lightweight ballistic fibers that resist shrapnel and prevent concussions

Recommended Items at Auction

See all items

Helmet "Pappenheim" | Central Europe, Central European
Jun 26, 8:00 PM CEST
Helmet "Pappenheim" | Central Europe, Central European
by Einszwei Gallery
Est: 0 Kč- 0 Kč
28,000 Kč24 Bids
World War 2 Japanese Military Helmet
Jul 12, 5:00 PM EDT
World War 2 Japanese Military Helmet
by Gary R. Wallace Auctioneers Inc.
Est: $0- $0
$52514 Bids
A SAXON OFFICER’S PICKELHAUBE, CIRCA 1900-1914
Jun 25, 11:00 AM BST
A SAXON OFFICER’S PICKELHAUBE, CIRCA 1900-1914
by Olympia Auctions
Est: £300- £500
£42010 Bids
AN OFFICER’S HELMET OF THE KINGDOM OF WURTTEMBERG, CIRCA 1900-1914
Jun 25, 11:00 AM BST
AN OFFICER’S HELMET OF THE KINGDOM OF WURTTEMBERG, CIRCA 1900-1914
by Olympia Auctions
Est: £400- £600
£3207 Bids
JAPANESE WINTER FLIGHT CAP
Jun 27, 10:00 AM EDT
JAPANESE WINTER FLIGHT CAP
by Alexander Historical Auctions LLC
Est: $200- $300
$2206 Bids
AMERICAN AIRBORNE DIVISION CAP
Jun 27, 10:00 AM EDT
AMERICAN AIRBORNE DIVISION CAP
by Alexander Historical Auctions LLC
Est: $100- $150
$1205 Bids
Divers Helmet from mid 20th Century
Jun 21, 10:00 AM EDT
Divers Helmet from mid 20th Century
by Boston Harbor Auctions
Est: $1,000- $2,000
$5004 Bids
A GERMAN RESERVIST OFFICER’S PICKELHAUBE, POST 1871
Jun 25, 11:00 AM BST
A GERMAN RESERVIST OFFICER’S PICKELHAUBE, POST 1871
by Olympia Auctions
Est: £300- £500
£2204 Bids
Helmet "Morion" | Europe, European
Jun 26, 8:00 PM CEST
Helmet "Morion" | Europe, European
by Einszwei Gallery
Est: 0 Kč- 0 Kč
3,000 Kč4 Bids
A RARE RUSSIAN OFFICER’S KIVER, CIRCA 1910
Jun 25, 11:00 AM BST
A RARE RUSSIAN OFFICER’S KIVER, CIRCA 1910
by Olympia Auctions
Est: £800- £1,200
£5504 Bids
Early 1900s Cairns & Brother Leather CaptainÕs Fire Helmet
Jun 28, 10:00 AM CDT
Early 1900s Cairns & Brother Leather CaptainÕs Fire Helmet
by Kraft Auction Service
Est: $0- $0
$1103 Bids
Helmet "Sturmhaube" | Europe, European
Jun 26, 8:00 PM CEST
Helmet "Sturmhaube" | Europe, European
by Einszwei Gallery
Est: 0 Kč- 0 Kč
4,800 Kč3 Bids
AMERICAN DOUGHBOY HELMET SHELL
Jun 27, 10:00 AM EDT
AMERICAN DOUGHBOY HELMET SHELL
by Alexander Historical Auctions LLC
Est: $300- $400
$1803 Bids
GERMAN M16 HELMET SHELL
Jun 27, 10:00 AM EDT
GERMAN M16 HELMET SHELL
by Alexander Historical Auctions LLC
Est: $140- $200
$803 Bids
Imperial German Pickelhaube Helmet
Jun 28, 12:00 PM EDT
Imperial German Pickelhaube Helmet
by Blackwell Auctions LLC
Est: $300- $600
$2503 Bids
WWII M1 HELMET LINER FIRESTONE & WESTINGHOUSE
Jun 25, 9:00 AM EDT
WWII M1 HELMET LINER FIRESTONE & WESTINGHOUSE
by Affiliated Auctions & Realty LLC
Est: $80- $150
$302 Bids
bp parity badge
Stahlhelm wohl 2 WK, Altersspuren, innen Stempel diese original ?
Jun 28, 11:00 AM CEST
Stahlhelm wohl 2 WK, Altersspuren, innen Stempel diese original ?
by Auktionshalle Cuxhaven
Est: €0- €0
€102 Bids
US M1881 6th CAVALRY HELMET WITH CORD & PLUME
Jun 24, 1:00 PM EDT
US M1881 6th CAVALRY HELMET WITH CORD & PLUME
by Potomack Company
Est: $500- $1,500
$2752 Bids
‡ A RARE NORTH ITALIAN SALLET, THIRD QUARTER OF THE 14TH CENTURY
Jun 25, 11:00 AM BST
‡ A RARE NORTH ITALIAN SALLET, THIRD QUARTER OF THE 14TH CENTURY
by Olympia Auctions
Est: £3,000- £6,000
£6002 Bids
GERMAN HELMET DESK DECORATION BY ROSENTHAL
Jun 27, 10:00 AM EDT
GERMAN HELMET DESK DECORATION BY ROSENTHAL
by Alexander Historical Auctions LLC
Est: $400- $500
$2002 Bids
Straight Razor Boxes, Knives
Jun 21, 9:30 AM EDT
Straight Razor Boxes, Knives
by Old Barn Auction
Est: $40- $1,000
$302 Bids
EARLY 19TH C. FRENCH NAVY BICORNE HAT
Jun 28, 11:00 AM EDT
EARLY 19TH C. FRENCH NAVY BICORNE HAT
by Thomaston Place Auction Galleries
Est: $500- $700
$1752 Bids
M1916 GERMAN HELMET WITH 'DER STAHLHELM' EMBLEMS
Jun 27, 10:00 AM EDT
M1916 GERMAN HELMET WITH 'DER STAHLHELM' EMBLEMS
by Alexander Historical Auctions LLC
Est: $400- $600
$3602 Bids

Sellers Who Sell Military Hats & Helmets


Pousse-Cornet

Pousse-Cornet

Olympia Auctions

Olympia Auctions

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

Blackwell Auctions LLC

Blackwell Auctions LLC