Original Item: Only One Available. This is an amazing example of a totally original WWI German M16 Helmet, which was "Shot Through" long ago, almost certainly killing the wearer if it was on their head at the time. The unique aspect of this particular "Shot Through" helmet is what looks to be a .30 caliber bullet hole in the right upper crown area, above the ventilation lug, which has bent the steel inwards. There is also a large dent and crack through the lower left skirt, directly in line with the other hole, and is bent outwards, so this would be the exit hole. Close inspection of the paint, style and aging of the edges lead us to be very confident that this totally 100% genuine. The liner was completely removed, most likely due to the soiled condition if it was being worn at the time, which would have almost certainly killed the wearer.

The stamped, sheet steel construction, helmet retains a good amount of the original olive green paint on the exterior, standard for German WWI Helmets. The helmet shell 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 longer step version for size 62 shells. This would ensure proper installation of a Stirnpanzer brow plate regardless of shell size. The chinstrap is missing, however both of the steel loops are still attached to the lugs inside. There are split pins installed in all the liner mounting holes, but they are improperly sized modern additions.

The shell is stamped Si.62 over the left ear, indicating that Eisenhuette Silesia in Paruschowitz, Oberschlesien manufactured it. This company made shells in sizes 62 and 66 for the war effort. Size 62 is a smaller size that can accommodate liners from 54cm to 56cm or US 6 3/4 to 7. There is a rolling mill mark dome stamp of Bi 8 4 9, indicating that Bismarckhutte in Oberschlesien made the steel. This is the usual dome stamp for an "Si" marked helmet.

With the recent 100-year anniversary of the close of world war one, this "shot through" helmet shell, offered in great collectible condition, is a perfect addition to any Great War collection.

History of the M16

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.