Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice example of a totally original WWI German M16 Helmet, with a great but overpainted "paneled" camouflage paint scheme. This was a very popular type of camouflage used on both sides of WWI. The colors include yellows and browns, with black lines separating each color, the CLASSIC pattern. Unfortunately, the helmet was repainted in a gray color after the war, and a previous owner attempted to remove some of it, showing the original camouflage paint underneath. The stamped, sheet steel construction helmet only currently shows about 30% of the hand painted camouflage paint. With some work, more of the later paint could definitely be removed to show the beautiful camouflage underneath.

The helmet shell still has both the dome headed chinstrap retaining rivets, which hold the interior pickelhaube style chin strap lugs in place. One of these still has the metal ending of the chinstrap. It also retains both of the extended ventilation side lugs, which are the correct stepped version for size 64 shells. This would ensure proper installation of a Stirnpanzer brow plate regardless of shell size.

All three liner splint pins are still present, including the correct thicker rear pin. The original earliest pattern leather band liner is still present, held in place by the two front split pins and the rear pin. There is only one leather pad still retained on the liner, which retains the pillow underneath. There is also a name written on the back brim of the helmet, which could be discerned, making this a great research project! As this helmet still has the M1916 liner band, this soldier wore this helmet from 1916 through 1918, painting it camouflage per the instructions of the July of 1918 Ludendorff Camouflage Directive.

The original leather chinstrap is still attached at the bales, but one side is broken off as shown and is now hanging off of the one end piece. This could be repaired, but as it sits, the chinstrap still sits on the front brim without issue as long as it holds onto the small piece.

The shell is stamped E.T. 64. indicating that Eisenhüttenwerke Thale A.G., in Thale /Harz manufactured it. This company made shells in sizes 60 - 68 for the war effort. Size 64 is a nice medium large size that can accommodate liners from 56cm to 57cm or US 7 to 7 1/8. The top of the shell has a rolling mill mark that is heavily faded: B452, indicating steel from Stahlwerk Becker in Kiefeld.

This panel camouflage helmet, offered in repainted condition, comes ready to strip the paint off and 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.