BACKGROUND: The first "modern" steel helmets were introduced by the French army in early 1915 and were shortly followed by the British army later that year. With plans on the drawing board, experimental helmets in the field, ("Gaede" helmet), and some captured French and British helmets the German army began tests for their own steel helmet at the Kummersdorf Proving Grounds in November, and in the field in December 1915. An acceptable pattern was developed and approved and production began at Eisen-und Hüttenwerke, AG Thale/Harz, in the spring of 1916. These first modern M16 helmets evolved into the M18 helmets by the end of WWI. The M16 and M18 helmets remained in usage through-out the Weimar Reichswehr era and on into the early years of the Third Reich until the development of the smaller, lighter M35 style helmet in June 1935. In an effort to reduced construction time and labor costs minor modifications were introduced in March 1940 resulting in the M40 helmet. Further construction modifications were undertaken in August 1942 resulting in the M42 helmet.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: The sheet steel construction helmet retains about 80% of its original dark green, slightly rough textured paint. The left side of the helmet has an Wehrmacht eagle decal which is retained about 60%. The right side of the helmet has a national tri-color decal which is retained about 55%. All three liner retaining rivets and both inserted ventilation bushings are all intact. The interior of the helmet has an M31 tan leather liner with all of its fingers and original tie string present. One of the figures is torn through and the liner shows heavy period use and sweat stains. Leather is fairly dry and shows the expected rips and wear. The left side apron has the manufacturers code/size stamp, now hard to read, of what looks to be "Q64", indicating manufacture by F.W. Quist, G.m.b.H. Esslingen, size 64. Original chinstrap is present, and again, heavy period use and wear. There is a glue repair on the chinstrap where it had broke in two at one time. Nice honest example that saw good period use and wear.

GRADE *** 1/2                             PRICE $1,520.00