{"product_id":"original-imperial-german-wwi-named-officer-m16-stahlhelm-helmet-with-panel-camouflage-paint-and-liner-marked-g-62","title":"Original Imperial German WWI Named Officer M16 Stahlhelm Helmet with Panel Camouflage Paint and Liner - marked G.62","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice example of a totally original WWI German M16 Helmet, with a very nice \"paneled\" camouflage paint scheme, named to a German soldier. This was a very popular type of camouflage used on both sides of WWI. The stamped, sheet steel construction, helmet retains about 80% of its original hand painted camouflage paint. This was painted over the original field gray paint, so this is visible in areas where the paint has flaked off.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe helmet 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 long version with a large step for the smaller size 62 shell. \u003cspan\u003eThis would ensure proper installation of a Stirnpanzer brow plate regardless of shell size.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe shell is stamped \u003cstrong\u003eG.62\u003c\/strong\u003e indicating that Gebrueder Gnuechtel A.G., located at Lauter i in Saxony, Germany \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003emanufactured it.  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis company made M16 shells in size 62 only for the war effort. It also has dome stamp \u003cstrong\u003eR 1 1 5 8\u003c\/strong\u003e on the top inside of the shell, which is for Stahlwerk Röchling in Volkingen. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSize 62 is a smaller size that can accommodate liners from 54 cm to 56 cm or US 6 3\/4 to 7. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eInside the helmet it has the owner's name written in white paint: \u003cstrong\u003eSchönfelder \/ Lt.\u003c\/strong\u003e. This would be short for Leutnant (Lieutenant), a rank equivalent to a 2nd Lt, and the lowest officer rank in the Imperial German Army.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAll three liner split pins are present, including the correct thicker rear pin, and still retain their camouflage paint. The original earliest pattern leather band liner is still present, with all three of the panels present and intact. The three flaps still have the pockets behind for padding, however they are empty, and the original top tie string is missing. Liner is in good condition, though it is worn from age and use. The original chin strap is missing, but the attachment loops are still present.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis wonderful named camouflage helmet, offered in very nice collectible condition, makes an eye catching addition to any Great War collection. Ready to display!\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHistory of the M16 Helmet\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\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\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\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\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\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":31333297487941,"sku":"ON12021","price":1295.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/products\/ON12021__03.jpg?v=1594693275","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-imperial-german-wwi-named-officer-m16-stahlhelm-helmet-with-panel-camouflage-paint-and-liner-marked-g-62","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}