Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice example of a totally original WWI German M16 Helmet, with a fantastic "paneled" camouflage paint scheme. This was a very popular type of camouflage used on both sides of WWI. The colors include greens, yellows, and browns, with black lines separating each color, the CLASSIC pattern. The stamped, sheet steel construction, helmet retains about 75% of its original hand painted camouflage paint. This was painted over the original field gray paint, so this is visible in areas where the paint has flaked off, while others show the bare steel, now oxidized.
The helmet still has both the dome headed chinstrap retaining rivets, which hold the interior pickelhaube style chin strap lugs in place, also retaining both of the metal ends of the original chinstrap which is now gone. It also retains both of the extended ventilation side lugs, which are the correct short version without a step for the larger size 66 shell. This would ensure proper installation of a Stirnpanzer brow plate regardless of shell size.
All three liner splint pins are still present, including the correct thicker rear pin, and all retain the camouflage paint. The original earliest pattern leather band liner is still present, held in placed by the two front split pins, while the rear of the band has broken away from the rear split pin, so it has sunken into the helmet. The leather panels for the liner are intact, and all three have fishing line tying them to the liner band, although only one has become detached completely. They may not be entirely detached from the band but the line is meant to keep them from falling off. The original chin strap is gone but the two end pieces are retained.
The shell is stamped W66 indicating that Hermann Weissenberger & Co. in Stuttgart-Cannstadt manufactured it. This company made M16 shells in size 66 ONLY for the war effort. They are one of the more difficult makers to find, and the stamp for this one is a bit higher than it normally is. There is a great rolling mill mark, R837, indicating steel made by Stahlwerk Röchling, Volkingen. Size 66 is a nice large size that can accommodate liners from 58cm to 60cm or US 7 1/4 to 7 1/2. Size 66 shells are always hard to find and are therefore more valuable to a collector.
This great camouflage helmet, offered in very nice collectible condition, makes an eye catching addition to any Great War collection. Ready to display!
