Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice example of a totally original WWI German M16 Helmet shell, with a great worn in look, and a nearly complete liner. The original green paint is still well retained inside the shell, with about 75% still present on the exterior, with the expected wear. It does not look to have been repainted at any time. The interior is about the same, with a lovely oxidized patina in places.

The helmet shell still has both the dome headed chinstrap retaining rivets, which hold the interior pickelhaube style chin strap lugs in place. The original chin strap is present, with what look to be nickel alloy or aluminum attachment rings. The chin strap is still intact, though it definitely is worn, and looks to possibly be a post WWI arsenal replacement. The shell also retains both of the extended ventilation side lugs, which are the correct longer step version for size 64 shells. This would ensure proper installation of a Stirnpanzer brow plate regardless of shell size.

The original liner is present, and still has the complete steel band, held in place by the three split pins. These look to be original, with original paint on them, and the rear pin is the correct thicker version. The leather pads or "fingers" do have wear, and the ends have broken off the front pad. However all three still have their original padding in the pouches on the back, and the original leather top tie is present. Most of the helmets that we see are missing the liners completely or have only remnants, so finding a liner this complete is a real rarity.

Above the left ear interior of the apron of the shell has a faintly stamped manufacturer's code and size “Bell” L. 64, also called the rattle logo, which indicates manufacture by R. Lindenberg A.G. of Remscheid-Hasten, who produced shells in only size 64 during WWI. Size 64 is a medium size shell, which can accommodate size 56-67 liners. The larger size makes these harder to find and more desirable to a collector. There is a rolling mill mark of 564, but there is no letter prefix, so we cannot determine which mill rolled it. 

This helmet, offered in great collectible condition makes an eye catching addition to any Great War collection. 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.