Original Item. Only One Available. This is a nice example of an original WWI German M16 Helmet shell, maker-marked ET66. The original paint is still partially retained inside the shell, with about 60% still present on the exterior, with very heavy scuffing and wear. It does not look to have been repainted at any time. There are some scuffs and minor irregularities in the shell, but no noticeable dents or cracks. The leather liner band is still retained, as are the original three split pins, though they are in the incorrect positions. The liner has broken away from the rear split pin, with two of the liner pads having broken away from the band.

The helmet still has both of the dome headed chinstrap retaining rivets, which hold the interior pickelhaube style chin strap lugs in place, and the end pieces of the chinstrap are still retained on both rivets. The shell also retains both of the extended ventilation side lugs, which are the correct short version without any step for the larger size 66 shell. This would ensure proper installation of a Stirnpanzer brow plate regardless of shell size.

The shell is stamped ET66 indicating that Eisenhuettenwerke Thale A.G., in Thale /Harz manufactured it. This company made shells in sizes from 60 to 68 for the war effort. Size 66 is a nice large size that can accommodate liners from 58cm to 60cm or US 7 1/4 to 7 1/2. There is a clear rolling mill mark on the interior crown, B i 78, indicating that Bismarckhutte in Oberschlesien made the steel.

The M16 leather liner band is broken off at the back as shown, and two of the three split liner pins have been switched, with the thicker back pin now inserted at the front, and one of the thinner pins at the back. Two of the three liner pads are now disconnected from their band and are only held on by the thin strings. This liner is in very rough overall condition but the pieces are still there, and this could be a good restoration project.

The liner is too fragile for regular handling and would benefit from careful stabilization rather than aggressive restoration. The displaced split pins and detached leather pieces are part of the helmet's surviving condition and should be documented before any attempt is made to reposition or repair them.

The combination of the ET66 Eisenhüttenwerke Thale maker mark, B i 78 steel-lot stamp, substantial surviving original paint, early M1916 leather liner remnants, original chinstrap mounting posts, and correct short Stirnpanzer lugs makes this a particularly representative service-worn example of the first German Stahlhelm pattern of the First World War. Although the liner is badly deteriorated and its mounting pins have been rearranged, the helmet retains considerable original material and remains an excellent study example of M1916 construction.