{"product_id":"original-imperial-german-wwi-transitional-m1916-stahlhelm-reissued-for-reichswehr-use-with-m27-style-liner","title":"Original Imperial German WWI Transitional M1916 Stahlhelm Reissued for Reichswehr Use with M27 Style Liner","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is an interesting original Imperial German WWI M1916 Stahlhelm that was subsequently refurbished and fitted with an interwar style liner, making it a strong example of the transitional helmets that remained in German service after the First World War. The shell retains approximately 70% of its present paint layer, together with both original extended ventilation lugs, the dome headed M91 chinstrap retaining studs, and all three liner retaining rivets. The shell is faintly stamped \u003cb\u003eBF62\u003c\/b\u003e, identifying it as a size 62 helmet manufactured by \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eF.C. Bellinger of Fulda\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe M1916 Stahlhelm was introduced during WWI as the German Army moved away from the traditional leather Pickelhaube toward a purpose built steel combat helmet. Its deep skirt, projecting ventilation lugs, and substantial stamped steel shell gave German troops markedly improved protection from shell fragments and battlefield debris.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe helmet has a later-attached M27 style liner, indicating that the helmet may have seen service with the Reichswehr. Or it could’ve been an early conversion for use by the Third Reich in the 1930s before the issue of the M-35 helmet. The left and right sides of the helmet are painted with a tri-color shield, but this appears to have been added later, as there is a worn-away swas painted to the front. This was likely painted as a souvenir by a WWII soldier or their children. The shell is painted in the correct color for the interwar period.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe shell is faintly stamped \u003cb\u003eB.F.62.\u003c\/b\u003e indicating that \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eF.C. Bellinger of Fulda\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e manufactured it. This company made shells in sizes 62 and 64 for the war effort. Due to the interior overpaint, we can no longer make out a heat lot stamp.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe interior liner looks to be a very early interwar liner with 9 tongues, similar to a pickelhaube liner, but with a liner band more akin to the M27 or even the M18. One end of the weak leather chinstrap is retained and it shows that the chinstrap shares some similarities with the M18 style. There are no markings on the liner we can see. One of the three liner pins is stuck in place but the other two are a bit loose.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a particularly interesting example for the collector who appreciates transitional and reissued German helmets rather than untouched WWI configurations. Its strongest features are the original BF62 F.C. Bellinger shell, approximately 70% surviving interwar style paint, later nine tongue liner, original M1916 ventilation lugs and chinstrap studs, and visible evidence of several distinct phases in the helmet's life. It would fit especially well in a collection devoted to the Imperial German Stahlhelm, Reichswehr equipment, interwar German military material, or the reuse of WWI equipment during the German rearmament period.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45584493248581,"sku":"ONJR26JYHG054","price":695.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/00EDC1B8-6948-48BD-B81B-C167ECC7BB66.jpg?v=1787342675","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-imperial-german-wwi-transitional-m1916-stahlhelm-reissued-for-reichswehr-use-with-m27-style-liner","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}