Stahlhelme
WWI German Steel Helmets
M 1916 Stahlhelm,
WWI German Steel Helmet.
Standard issue example shown here.
The steel helmet was first issued to German troops in early 1916, but on a unit level to be issued temporarily when needed. Priority was given to the troops fighting at Verdun and on the Somme. Gradually most troops on both the Eastern and Western Fronts were issued with a steel helmet, and it officially became part of each soldier’s individual personal equipment.
The first Stahlhelme in 1916 were issued in a (light) Field-gray (so-called ‘monochrome’) colour. They were hot-pressed from a hard silicon-nickel steel.
They were crafted to bend, rather than to splinter, if punctured by shell fragments or schrapnel.
WWI German Steel Helmet.
Standard issue example shown here.
The steel helmet was first issued to German troops in early 1916, but on a unit level to be issued temporarily when needed. Priority was given to the troops fighting at Verdun and on the Somme. Gradually most troops on both the Eastern and Western Fronts were issued with a steel helmet, and it officially became part of each soldier’s individual personal equipment.
The first Stahlhelme in 1916 were issued in a (light) Field-gray (so-called ‘monochrome’) colour. They were hot-pressed from a hard silicon-nickel steel.
They were crafted to bend, rather than to splinter, if punctured by shell fragments or schrapnel.
Shown here is a later pattern issue M 1916 liner system, with much thicker leather liner band.
The chin strap on the Stahlhelm was the M 1891, and the same mounting posts as found on the Pickelhaube were used on the Stahlhelm.
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M 1917 STAHLHELM.
Individually hand-painted camouflage.
Camouflaged World War One Stahlhelme are each unique, as they were hand painted either en-masse by the stores department, or by the individual soldiers themselves.
Individually hand-painted camouflage.
Camouflaged World War One Stahlhelme are each unique, as they were hand painted either en-masse by the stores department, or by the individual soldiers themselves.
M 1917 STAHLHELM.
The M 1917 liner had a metal liner band. The leather band used with the M 1916 liner band system proved to be too fragile.
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The M 1917 liner had a metal liner band. The leather band used with the M 1916 liner band system proved to be too fragile.
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Two very young recruits wearing camouflaged Stahlhelme.
M 1916 Camouflaged STAHLHELM.
This example has a very sharp edged scheme hand painted as camouflage.
This example has a very sharp edged scheme hand painted as camouflage.
M 1916 Camouflaged STAHLHELM.
This example is named to a Gefreiter Ottinger.
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This example is named to a Gefreiter Ottinger.
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M 1916 STAHLHELM.
A non-standard hand painted camouflaged example without the customary thin black border lines dividing each coloured panel as per the 1918 orders by Ludendorff.
A non-standard hand painted camouflaged example without the customary thin black border lines dividing each coloured panel as per the 1918 orders by Ludendorff.
M 1916 STAHLHELM.
This example has a very early model M 1916 leather liner band with only a thin ring of leather used for the liner band.
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This example has a very early model M 1916 leather liner band with only a thin ring of leather used for the liner band.
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M 1916 STAHLHELM.
Another standard issue example.
Another standard issue example.
M 1916 STAHLHELM.
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