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, (National Defence {Force}), (Circa 1919-1933), 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. Originally the Third Reich national tri-color helmet decal was introduced on March 14^TH 1933 for wear on the left side of the helmet to replace the Reichswehr era state shield insignia. Regulations of February 17^TH 1934 introduced the Wehrmacht, (Armed Forces), eagle decal and the national tri-color decal was shifted to the right side of the helmet with the Wehrmacht eagle decal positioned on the left hand side. Regulations of March 21^ST 1940 dictated that the national tri-color decal was to be removed from all helmets and further regulations of August 28^TH 1943 abolished the Wehrmacht eagle decal and dictated that it was also to be removed from all helmets although the directives were not completely adhered to.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: The stamped, sheet steel construction helmet retains about 75% of its smooth finished, camouflage over-paint in random splotches of green, brown and yellowish/tan with small spots of wear to the base metal with light to moderate surface spotting. All three of the liner retaining rivets are intact. The interior of the helmet has an age and usage darkened, grained, M31, tan leather liner with all eight fingers and the original tie string intact. The liner shows light chafe wear to the bottom edges and the leather is still fairly supple. The liner is well marked with a faint, illegible, black size inkstamp. The reverse, interior, neck guard apron is well marked with a stamped serial number,"450" and the interior, left side, apron is also well marked with the stamped manufacturer’s code and size, "SE66" indicating manufacture by Sächsische Emaillier-und Stanzwerke, AG Lauter, size 66. The helmet comes complete with a blackened leather chinstrap with matte grey painted, pronged, magnetic sheet metal, length adjustment buckle and natural aluminum retaining studs intact. The chinstrap shows light to moderate chafe wear and some light surface cracking and has a couple of small tears. The reverse of the chinstrap is well marked with a stamped RF number. Of Note: The RF numbers were intended to conceal the manufacture’s name and location from the allies, to prevent bombing raids on German industrial factories. Very nice camo.

GRADE ***1/2                             PRICE $4,178.00