M16 World War 2 Reissue Helmet

Product Description: This M16 World War 2 Reissue Helmet is an interesting piece, with appealing character. The WWI manufactured M16 shell has been painted inside and out with black paint, which shows marks and scratches from wear and use as well as an age patina. There is no visible indication that this helmet ever had any decals. The inside of this helmet is complete with an M31 type liner, with a pre-WWII reinforced aluminum liner band. The liner leather is complete, with all fingers intact, and some flaking and discoloration from age. The draw string is missing. The inside dome of the helmet has some built-up patina. The typical prewar square chin strap lugs on the liner band retain pieces of the original strap on both sides. The WWI type chin strap lugs have been removed from the shell, leaving a small hole on either side of the skirt; this is an interesting modification sometimes seen on these helmets that were reworked for WWII use, as these lugs were not used with the M31 liner system. The inside skirt is stamped with “Si.66” indicating manufacture by the firm of Eisenhütte Silesia in Paruschowitz/Oberschlesien, in a desirable large size 66. This M16 World War 2 Reissue Helmet has a great look, and is in very good condition.

Historical Description: When the German Army first marched into war in 1914, it went to the front lines wearing the traditional “Picklehaube” helmets. The war soon developed to necessitate the need for an improved headgear to protect the wearer. The German Army developed the M16 helmet in 1915 and began issuing it in mass quantity to its fighting troops in 1916. The M16 underwent changes to bring about the next model, the M18. Both the M16 and M18 saw use by the German Army during WW1, as well as the interwar years by the Reichswehr and Freikorps. In 1931, a new liner system was developed. The M16 and M18 helmets were in mass supply right up to the time the Nazi Party took control of the German government. During Adolf Hitler’s rearming of the German military in the early 1930’s, the M16 and M18 helmets saw extensive refitting with the newer liner system, fresh paint, and the addition of a centralized decal system for the newly formed Wehrmacht’s respective branches. Decals were generally placed on each side of the helmet, one side being the branch and the other the national colors shield or party shield. In 1935, the M35 helmet was introduced. This new design was lighter and more streamlined than the older style helmets and is what the world now recognizes as the iconic helmet of the German Military. M35 helmets can most easily be identified from the separate rivet ventholes and rolled edges. With the outbreak of war, some changes were made to bring in a new model, the M40. The changes made to this new model was the use of a more matte field grey finish and the vent holes were now integral to the helmets shell. In 1940, the national colors decals and party shields were ordered to be removed. It should be noted that many M35 helmets were brought up to date by repainting them with the matte field grey finish and/or other modifications if necessary. These refitted helmets are what collectors now term “reissue helmets”. The next model helmet to evolve was the M42. The model M42 has the same features of the M40 with the exception of the edges of the helmet not being rolled and remain flared. This was to speed up production and lower cost as the war dragged on and the German economy began changing to a total war economy. In 1943 all decals were ordered to be removed from combat helmets.

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