WW1 German M. 16 Steel Helmet (Mod. 1916 Stahlhelm) Camouflaged Shell ET 68

A FIRST WORLD WAR CAMOUFLAGED GERMAN M16 STAHLHELM (STEEL HELMET) SIZE 64 SHELL MANUFACTURED BY EISENHÜTTENWERKE THALE A. THALE /HARZ AND FEINTLY STAMPED ON THE SKIRT ET 68.

THE BACK OF THE HELMET IS PAINTED WITH A LARGE NUMBER 7, PROBABLY A COMPANY NUMBER, WHILE THE INSIDE OF THE HELMET IS PAINTED WITH THE OWNERS NAME FÕCHE. This is a very good example of a First War German Mod. 1916 Stahlhelm painted in a three. The manufacturers code stamped into the right hand forward neck guard is now very difficult to read but appears to be ET 68.

Indicating that it was manufactured by Eisenhüttenwerke Thale A. Thale /Harz as a size 68 shell. No crown number is visible. The rear of the helmet is painted with a large number 7 , which was in all likelihood a Kompanie designation.

The name Föche is painted on the inner skirt. German Model 1916 steel helmet which was introduced into the service with the forces of the German Empire in 1916 (hence the designation). It was designed primarily by two men, Frederich Schwerd and Dr. August Bier to protect soldiers heads from fragments and shrapnel injuries. As Chad Compton in his excellent Axis History online article records: The designs for the Model 1916 were drawn up in September 1915.

By December of that year, the M1916 was being used by a Sturm (Assault) battalion for trial purposes. The mass production of the'Stahlhelm' began January 1916 and it was widely distributed to soldiers in the Imperial German Field Army on the western front. 16 was replaced by the improved M. 18 in 1918 but the wars end meant that relatively few of the new type were issued. 1916 Stahlhelm does show evidence of use and has a heavily weathered patina, particularly across the crown.

Both lugs are still in place and serviceable although the chinstrap and lining are missing. There is surface rust and pitting on the inside and outside of the shell but overall the helmet is very sound. The paint is in good condition with some wear and characteristically it appears to have been overpainted at least once and maybe even twice. The paint is worn in places and is marked by old surface oxidization; there is evidence of a base grey/green paint finish beneath both the camouflage pattern on the exterior and interior of the shell. This listing for interest is a period photograph showing a German rifle section all of who are wearing similar camouflaged.

From Australia, a good example of the scarce and highly sought after. First World War named and numbered German Mod. It is similar to a number held in the collection of the Australian War Memorial which can be viewed online at. The item "WW1 German M.

1916 Stahlhelm) Camouflaged Shell ET 68" is in sale since Thursday, October 20, 2016. This item is in the category "Collectables\Militaria\1914 - 1918 (WWI)". The seller is "anzacblade" and is located in Griffith, ACT.

This item can be shipped worldwide.

Authenticity: Original
Country: Germany
Campaign: World War I
Product Type: Helmets
Era: 1910s