Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice example of a totally original WWI German M16 Helmet shell, with an interesting period-applied depot repaint and refurbishment. The stamped, sheet steel construction helmet retains 80% of the repaint. The paint is somewhat shiny, so it may have been lacquered by a collector in the past to preserve it. There is a very faint ink stamp reading 64 on the interior rim, which denotes that the helmet was refurbished during the war at a German depot. This is also evident from the liner pins, one of which is a strange piece of brass that was likely added in the depot. The original rear pin was moved to the front.

The helmet still has both the dome headed chinstrap retaining rivets, which hold the interior pickelhaube style chin strap lugs in place. It also retains both of the extended ventilation side lugs, which are the correct extended version with a step for the smaller size 64 shell. This would ensure proper installation of a Stirnpanzer brow plate regardless of shell size. Two of the three original liner pins are present, and the rear example is a depot-added replacement. The original M16 pattern leather liner band is still present, with some of each of the three pads still intact in various rough conditions.

The shell is stamped ET64 indicating that Eisenhuettenwerke Thale A.G., in Thale /Harz manufactured it. This company made shells in sizes 60, 62, 64, 66 and 68 for the war effort. Size 64 is a nice medium size that can accommodate liners from 56cm to 57cm or US 7 to 7 1/8. There is oxidation on the inside crown of the helmet, but the rolling mill marking R179 is present, indicating the steel was made by Stahlwerk Röchling, Volkingen, the usual supplier for ET helmets.

This helmet, offered in very good collectible condition, and makes an eye-catching addition to any Great War collection. It isn’t often we get period-refurbished examples! Ready to display!

History of the M16 Helmet
The Stahlhelm was introduced into regular service during the Verdun campaign in early 1916. The M1916 design had side-mounted horn-like ventilator lugs which were intended to be support for an additional steel brow plate or Stirnpanzer, which only ever saw limited use by snipers and trench raiding parties, as it was too heavy for general use.

The shell came in different sizes, from 60 to 68, with some size 70s reported. The suspension, or liner, consisted of a headband with three segmented leather pouches, each holding padding materials, and leather or fabric cords could be adjusted to provide a comfortable fit. The one-piece leather chinstrap was attached to the shell by M1891 chinstrap lugs, the same kind used in the Pickelhaube helmet.

The M1916 design provided excellent protection: Reserve Lieutenant Walter Schulze of 8th Company Reserve Infantry Regiment 76 described his combat introduction to the helmet on the Somme, 29 July 1916:

"... suddenly, with a great clanging thud, I was hit on the forehead and knocked flying onto the floor of the trench... a shrapnel bullet had hit my helmet with great violence, without piercing it, but sufficiently hard to dent it. If I had, as had been usual up until a few days previously, been wearing a cap, then the Regiment would have had one more man killed."

But the helmet was not without its flaws. The ventilator horns often let cold air in during the winter, requiring the wearer to block the vents with mud or fabric. The large, flared skirt tended to make it difficult for soldiers to hear, distorting surrounding sounds and creating an echo when the wearer spoke.

Originally painted Feldgrau (field grey), the Stahlhelm was often camouflaged by troops in the field using mud, foliage, cloth covers, and paint. Official issue cloth covers in white and grey appeared in late 1916 and early 1917. Camouflage paint was not formally introduced until July 1918, when German Army Order II, No 91 366, signed by General Erich Ludendorff on 7 July 1918, outlined official standards for helmet camouflage. The order stipulated that helmets should be painted in several colors, separated by a finger-wide black line. The colors should be relevant to the season, such as using green, brown and ocher in summer.

After the effectiveness of the M1916 design was validated during the 1916 campaigns, incremental improvements were subsequently made.