{"product_id":"original-imperial-german-wwi-unit-marked-m16-m-1916-stahlhelm-complete-with-original-liner-and-1917-dated-chinstrap-by-otto-koch-co-si-66","title":"Original Imperial German WWI Unit-Marked M16 M-1916 Stahlhelm - Complete with Original Liner and 1917-Dated Chinstrap by Otto Koch \u0026 Co. - Si 66","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice example of an original WWI German M16 Helmet, maker-marked Si 66, with its original liner and very weak chinstrap. The original green paint is still well retained inside the shell, with about 85% still present on the exterior, with the expected wear. It does not look to have been repainted at any time. All three of the liner pads on this example are stamped \u003cstrong\u003eInf. 20\u003c\/strong\u003e?, which appears to be a wartime infantry unit marking that requires some further research.  \u003cstrong\u003eThe original chinstrap has a partial break in two spots, and very well may fully break prior to arrival, so please keep this in mind before purchasing.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe helmet is stamped next to one of the chinstrap bales\u003cstrong\u003e Si 66\u003c\/strong\u003e, for the maker \u003cstrong\u003eEisenhuette Silesia, Paruschowitz Oberschlesien\u003c\/strong\u003e. This is a relatively uncommon maker to find, as they only produced shells in sizes 62 and 66. Size 66 is a nice large size that can accommodate liners from 58cm to 60cm or US 7 1\/4 to 7 1\/2. There is a rolling mill mark dome stamp of \u003cstrong\u003eB i 470,\u003c\/strong\u003e indicating that \u003cstrong\u003eBismarckhutte in Oberschlesien\u003c\/strong\u003e made the steel. This is the usual dome stamp for an \"Si\" marked helmet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe helmet still has both of the dome headed chinstrap retaining rivets, which hold the interior pickelhaube style chin strap lugs in place. The chinstrap is miraculously still holding on for dear life, and is actually stamped at one end:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOTTO KOCH \u0026amp; CO.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBERLIN 1917\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe chinstrap is stretched taut over the front brim, and due to the heavy tearing will likely break prior to arrival. The shell also retains both of the extended ventilation side lugs, which are the correct short version without any step for the larger size 66 shell. This would ensure proper installation of a Stirnpanzer brow plate regardless of shell size.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe original leather M1916 liner is in fantastic condition, with all three pads still retained along with all three horsehair interior pads, and they are all still connected by the original leather thong. One of the three pads has 301 written on, but all three are stenciled Inf. 20?, a unit marking for an infantry regiment in the 200s, but for some reason the third digit is too worn to discern.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn outstanding M1916 Stahlhelm with its original liner and chinstrap. \u003cstrong\u003eAs we stated, we cannot guarantee that the chinstrap will survive transit, and very well may be broken. Returns will not be honored for a broken chinstrap.\u003c\/strong\u003e Comes ready for further research and display!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHistory of the M16 Helmet\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\"... 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\n\u003c!----\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43964030976069,"sku":"ONAC25SD0118","price":1095.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONAC25SD0118MAIN.jpg?v=1762815993","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-imperial-german-wwi-unit-marked-m16-m-1916-stahlhelm-complete-with-original-liner-and-1917-dated-chinstrap-by-otto-koch-co-si-66","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}