{"product_id":"original-imperial-german-wwi-m1916-stahlhelm-helmet-shell-by-c-thiel-sohne-of-lubeck-with-rochling-steel-lot-stamp","title":"Original Imperial German WWI M1916 Stahlhelm Helmet Shell by C. Thiel \u0026 Söhne of Lübeck with Röchling Steel Lot Stamp","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is a very good original Imperial German WWI \u003cb\u003eM1916 Stahlhelm helmet shell\u003c\/b\u003e, faintly maker stamped for \u003cb\u003eC. Thiel \u0026amp; Söhne of Lübeck\u003c\/b\u003e and retaining substantial remnants of its original feldgrau finish. The liner and chinstrap are no longer present, although two of the original three liner split pins remain installed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe shell is extremely faintly-stamped \u003cb\u003eT.J.\u003c\/b\u003e indicating that \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eC. Thiel \u0026amp; Söhne \u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003ein the northern port city of Lübeck manufactured it. This company made shells in sizes 66 and 68 for the war effort. It also has dome stamp \u003cb\u003eR1151 \u003c\/b\u003eon the top inside of the shell, for steel produced at \u003cb\u003eStahlwerk Röchling \u003c\/b\u003ein Volkingen. The exterior of the shell has some heavy wear and staining as well as oxidation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe combination of the faint C. Thiel \u0026amp; Söhne maker stamp, Röchling R1151 steel-lot code, substantial original feldgrau finish, surviving liner pins, and untouched service-worn appearance makes this a strong representative example of the German M1916 Stahlhelm.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIts markings document both stages of wartime production: the Lübeck helmet manufacturer responsible for forming the shell and the Röchling steelworks that supplied the original steel plate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHistory of the M16 Helmet\u003cbr\u003eThe Stahlhelm was introduced into regular service during the Verdun campaign in early 1916.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"... 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.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBut 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOriginally 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAfter the effectiveness of the M1916 design was validated during the 1916 campaigns, incremental improvements were subsequently made.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45757579886661,"sku":"ONSV26CNB078","price":395.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/852575D9-F670-47F0-8443-135424D3B35B.jpg?v=1789502017","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-imperial-german-wwi-m1916-stahlhelm-helmet-shell-by-c-thiel-sohne-of-lubeck-with-rochling-steel-lot-stamp","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}