Original Item: Only One Available. During World War I and World War II, Switzerland maintained armed neutrality, and was not invaded by its neighbors, in part because of its topography, much of which is mountainous. Germany was a threat and Switzerland built a powerful defense. It served as a "protecting Power" for the belligerents of both sides, with a special role in helping prisoners of war. The belligerent states made it the scene for diplomacy, espionage, and commerce, as well as being a safe haven for 300,000 refugees.

Although the Swiss were neutral in WW1 (and WW2) they kept up with military development and as both the Allies and the Central Powers adopted steel headgear in 1916, so did the Swiss (the M18). This helmet is totally original and comes with German style 3/4 ring WW1 Helmet liners, which the Swiss copied, and come complete with an adjustable brown leather chinstrap. The M18 was issued throughout the 20s and 30s, and in 1940 was updated with the 3/4 ring liner. Then in 1943 all M18 and M40 helmets were withdrawn to have a new sawdust mixed matte black paint applied over the original paint, which is why this version is called the M18/43.

This example is in great shape, with a solid liner that is still supple, and intact functional chin strap. There are some areas on the exterior where the sawdust paint has been chipped off, showing the original smooth black paint.

A wonderful example of a helmet that saw use during the end of WWI up into the early years of WWII.

M1918 helmet (Switzerland). The M1918 helmet (also known as M18) is a steel military combat helmet used by Switzerland from its introduction in 1918 to its replacement by the M1971. In 1943 improvements would be made to the design to which it would be called the M1918/40.

The design was drawn up by Dr. Edward A. Gessler and Paul Boesh, director of the Swiss National Museum and sculptor in the Swiss General staff as a Lieutenant, respectively.

The shape drawing from the German M16 Stahlhelm and sometimes being confused with the coincidentally developed experimental combat helmet Model 5 by the United States sharing the near-same general shape and liner design. The shell being made from 1.15 mm manganese steel and painted in a drab green with the liner being similar to the M16 Stahlhelm's M17 liner with its three pads and clamp and hook chin strap attaching directly to the liner. The liner being attached to the shell not by rivets but by clamps keeping it in place, the shell having two ventilation holes towards the rear.

In 1940 a version of the M18 was made but with a shallower skirt and in 1943 most M18s and M18/40s were given a coat of matte black paint mixed with sawdust for a textured finish, as well as a new liner that only went around three-quarters of the circumference of the inside of the shell designated M18/43. New production helmets after this year having more shallow side skirts to its former model. The M1931 camouflage covers for the helmet were introduced in 1943; reversible from one of two patterns depending on the conditions. A second type of camouflage cover was adopted in 1956 featuring a variant of the Swiss TAZ 57 pattern. The earlier M18 was exported to Argentina in the late 1930s and issued - as the M1938 - as its first combat steel helmet. It was also used as a civil defense helmet painted a fluorescent yellow.

Around 603,000 units of all models would be produced throughout its career.