Original Item: Only One Available. This is an exceptionally well-preserved example of the distinctive Austro-Hungarian WWI M17 "Berndorfer" Stahlhelm, manufactured by Berndorfer Metallwarenfabrik Arthur Krupp A.G. in Berndorf, Lower Austria. This is only the second Berndorfer helmet we have had the pleasure of handling, and it is by far the better of the two. The helmet retains much of its original "Isonzo Braun" brown finish, its complete three-pad leather liner, and its original canvas chinstrap with leather fittings & buckle. The shell bears the characteristic "Bear" manufacturer's logo above the size marking 66, along with additional stamps associated with its manufacture and possible wartime depot refurbishment. Produced in limited numbers exclusively for Austro-Hungarian forces, the Berndorfer remains one of the more distinctive and difficult to obtain steel helmets of the First World War.

The styling of the Berndorfer helmet was unique, and didn't conform to the standard shape of the German Stahlhelm. It was more bowl-shaped, but also had a pronounced crimp on the ends of the visor, giving it an altogether different appearance. It also lacked the vent holes of the German-style helmets, and instead had 4 small vent holes on the top of the helmet, covered by a small riveted-on cover. They did make a Stirnpanzer to fit this helmet, but it had to lock onto the small cover on the top, and originals are hen’s teeth.

The helmet shell retains most of its "Isonzo Braun" brown paint, with some loss along the bends and at the crown. The liner is held in by two flat flathead screws to the sides and one vaulted flathead screw in the back, likely a result of a wartime depot refurbishment. 

The rear of the helmet skirt is marked with a "Bear" logo over 66, indicating manufacture by Berndorfer Metal-Warenfabrik A Krupp AG in Berndorf, Austria in size 66. This is the only factory that manufactured the aptly named M17 "Berndorfer" model helmets. Size 66 is a nice large size that would usually accommodate size 56 to 58 hat sizes, which is 7 1/4 to 7 1/2 in U.S. sizes. Over these stamps are two ink stamps, a 66 and a faint boxed acceptance unit stamp, which would denote wartime depot refurbishment. This would explain the vaulted flathead screw to the rear, which has been noted on other examples in the past.

The helmet retains the correct M17 metal liner band which is stamped 66 for the size. Attached to the liner band are three complete leather liner pads, with the original tie string, though it is not tied. There are a few different markings on the pads, including F.Z. / 425 ink-stamped on the underside of one pad, and a boxed “sl-1” stamped onto the top of the pad. These pads have a slit at one end which is how the pillow was inserted, with all pillows still inside. We have not attempted to remove them. The holes for the tie string are grommeted, entirely correct for an Austro-Hungarian helmet. 

The top of the shell is marked on the inside with a rolling mill lot number 3745. The helmet still has the characteristic correct top vent hole intact, with some minor denting to the “disc”.

The original canvas chinstrap is retained and in great shape with the leather fittings still in fair shape with intact stitching. The chinstrap is attached to bales that attach directly to the liner, a great detail. The original tightener is in good order.

The M17 Berndorfer occupies a distinctive place in the development of Austro-Hungarian protective headgear during the First World War. Its unusual shell construction, crown-mounted ventilation system, and specialized liner arrangement distinguish it from the more commonly encountered German-style M17 helmets. This particular example is especially noteworthy for its substantial original brown finish, matching size 66 shell and liner markings, complete three-pad leather liner, and surviving original canvas chinstrap. The additional ink stamps and unusual rear liner screw also raise interesting questions regarding possible wartime depot refurbishment. This is an outstanding representative of the Austro-Hungarian Berndorfer pattern and would be an instant centerpiece in any collection of First World War steel helmets.