This mid-century copper and brass dive helmet features matching serial numbers and a very early date for the maker. The plate reads Factory 28, Russian Navy, Helmet No. 503, Manufactured 1962. Russian Naval Helmets were usually manufactured at state run factories and not private companies. Plant #28 was in Leningrad, today’s St. Petersberg.

This factory is generally thought to have started manufacturing in 1963. Earlier Russian Naval Helmets were made at Factory 3 between 1943 and 1963, so there was some overlap in both time and manufacture between the two. This helmet’s earlier date means it was likely one of the first to come off the line at the new factory. Given the date and lack of carry handle this is a UVS50 helmet, which would be modified the following year to the UVS50M in 1963- nearly the same helmet but with some improvements.