{"product_id":"original-imperial-german-wwi-panel-camouflage-m16-stahlhelm-helmet-stamped-e-t-66","title":"Original Imperial German WWI Panel Camouflage M16 Stahlhelm Helmet - Stamped E.T. 66","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 green \u0026amp; brown camouflage paint scheme. This was a very popular type of camouflage used on both sides of WWI. The stamped, sheet steel construction helmet retains about 40% 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 with only one chinstrap attachment. It also retains both of the extended ventilation side lugs, which are the correct shorter type without a step for the large size 66 shell. This would ensure proper installation of a Stirnpanzer brow plate regardless of shell size.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne of the three liner split pins, the correct larger rear pin, is present. Both the liner and chinstrap are missing, but the two metal hooks from the ends of the chinstrap are still attached to the bales.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe shell is stamped\u003cstrong\u003e E.T. 66.\u003c\/strong\u003e indicating that Eisenhüttenwerke Thale A.G., in Thale \/Harz manufactured it. This company made shells in sizes 60 - 68 for the war effort. Size 66 is a nice large size. Size 66 shells are harder to find and are therefore more valuable to a collector. The top of she shell has a rolling mill mark reading \u003cstrong\u003eB188\u003c\/strong\u003e, indicating the steel was supplied by Stahlwerk Becker in Kiefeld.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a fantastic example of a genuine camouflage painted German helmet and comes ready to display!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHistory of the M16 Helmet\u003c\/strong\u003e\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.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!----\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41927780728901,"sku":"ONJR24ASJ005","price":795.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONJR24ASJ005__05.jpg?v=1726266300","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-imperial-german-wwi-panel-camouflage-m16-stahlhelm-helmet-stamped-e-t-66","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}