German Army Helmet

German steel helmet, worn 1916-18. German steel helmet, Stahlhelm, introduced early 1916 before the Verdun offensive, replacing the Pickelhaube spiked, leather helmet at the front line. The lugs on either side are for ventilation and to support an armoured brow-piece to protect soldiers on exposed, static duties such as lookout or sniper. Initially plain grey, the helmets were often camouflaged with disruptive patterns towards the war's end. The three colours used are Ochre, Green and Red painted to show only four colours at most from any angle and divided by finger-thick black bands. Inside, by the left chinstrap stud, is stamped 3 F 64 indicating in centimetres the size from a range of 60,62,64,66,68,70. 64 being one of the smaller sizes, the ventilation posts are boosted outwards by wider bases, presumably to accommodate the armoured brow-plate. This example is a 1916 model. The 1918 model had no internal side-posts for the chinstrap which was then attached directly to the leather headband, with its three cushions.