The different
Stahlhelm designs are named for their year of introduction. For example, the
Modell 1942 which was introduced in 1942 is commonly known as
M1942 or simply
M42. Here, they are referred to by their M19
XX names.
German WW1 variants M1916 and M1917 The
Stahlhelm was introduced into regular service during the
Verdun campaign in early 1916. The M1916 design had side-mounted horn-like ventilator lugs which were intended to support an additional steel brow plate or
Stirnpanzer, which saw limited use only by snipers and
trench raiding parties, as it was too heavy for general use. The shell came in different sizes, from 60 to 68, with some size 70s reported. Helmet weight varied from 0.98 kg to 1.4 kg, depending on shell size. The suspension, or liner, consisted of a headband with three segmented leather pouches, each holding padding materials, and leather or fabric cords that could be adjusted to provide a comfortable fit. The one-piece leather chin strap was attached to the shell by M1891 chinstrap lugs, the same kind used in the
Pickelhaube helmet. The M1916 design provided excellent protection. Reserve Lieutenant Walter Schulze of 8th Company Reserve Infantry Regiment 76 described his combat introduction to the helmet on the
Somme, 29 July 1916: ... suddenly, with a great clanging thud, I was hit on the forehead and knocked flying onto the floor of the trench... a
shrapnel bullet had hit my helmet with great violence, without piercing it, but sufficiently hard to dent it. If I had, as had been usual up until a few days previously, been wearing a cap, then the Regiment would have had one more man killed. But the helmet had a few flaws. The ventilator horns often let cold air in during the winter, requiring the wearer to block the vents with mud or fabric. The large, flared skirt tended to make it difficult for soldiers to hear, distorting surrounding sounds and creating an echo when the wearer spoke. Originally painted
Feldgrau (field grey), the
Stahlhelm was often camouflaged by troops in the field using mud, foliage, cloth covers, and paint. Official issue cloth covers in white and grey appeared in late 1916 and early 1917. Camouflage paint was not formally introduced until July 1918, when German Army Order II, No 91 366, signed by General
Erich Ludendorff on 7 July 1918, outlined official standards for helmet camouflage. The order stipulated that helmets should be painted in several colours, separated by a finger-wide black line. The colours should be relevant to the season, such as using green, brown and ochre in summer.
Ottoman full-visor M1916 and M1918 The introduction of steel helmets to the
Ottoman Turkish forces occurred during the Great War, with the first documented evidence appearing in a photograph of the
XV Army Corps in
Galicia (10 July 1916), where troops are depicted wearing unmodified German M16
Stahlhelme. Subsequent developments led to two distinct patterns: a modified version of the M16 and a specific contract for the M18. The modified M16, converted in 1917, featured a machine-cut rim reduced by approximately 1 cm, with a significant portion of the peak removed. These helmets are primarily associated with the
Yildrim Army Group (Thunderbolt Army Group), an elite formation organized by
Enver Pasha in early 1917. While some sources suggest that up to 170,000 altered helmets were provided, more conservative estimates focus on the equipment of the
Yildrim infantry during the
Battle of Megiddo (1918). The rationale for these modifications includes: • Acoustic and safety considerations: it was incorrectly believed that the deep skirt of the standard M16 caused blast injuries to the ears, and its removal was intended to improve hearing and all-round vision • Weight and climate adaptation: reducing the skirt and peak lowered the weight from the original 1 kilogram (2.2 pounds) to facilitate use in hot climates and improve air circulation • Traditional and aesthetic identity: the Ottoman government sought a distinctive silhouette that echoed the ridged sun helmet (
kabalak - or
enveriye - and
bashlyk) commonly worn by officers and
NCOs. This was likely a strategic attempt by the
Sublime Porte to maintain a unique national identity and avoid the appearance of being a mere satellite state of the German Empire, while also ensuring that the equipment of the Imperial Army and the Imperial Navy remained distinctive - a requirement that persisted even during the First World War. The second type was a specific M18 contract produced by Eisenhüttenwerk
Thale (ET). This model featured a rim that continued unbroken around the shell, omitting the typical angles between the brim and the sides. Chris Flaherty’s research, utilizing material from the Turkish Military Museum, confirms that 5,400 of these helmets were delivered before the contract was terminated following the Armistice of Mudros (31 October 1918). These units were consistently size 66, finished in factory dark grey-green paint, and fitted with German Model 1918 liners featuring white pads and carbine-clip chinstrap attachments. Collectors often use the term "full-visor" to describe this contract, though it was not an official designation used by Eisenhüttenwerk Thale or the Ottoman military. It should not be confused with another rare variant also known as the "full-visor" or "sloping brow" helmet - described in the paragraph above. Furthermore, researchers warn of contemporary fakes produced from modified Czechoslovak M20 shells.
Visorless M1918 The so-called "visorless" M1918 is a distinct variant that originated from a completely separate German military project and has frequently been the subject of historiographical confusion. Contrary to earlier collector theories, research by Flaherty demonstrates that this pattern was produced for the Imperial German Army rather than Ottoman forces. A persistent but discredited explanation suggested that the lack of a visor allowed Muslim soldiers to perform the prostration during prayer. However, this is physically impossible while wearing the helmet, and Islamic law [specifically the Ṣalāt al-Khawf or "prayer of fear"] allowed for modified rituals during combat, rendering such a design modification unnecessary for religious purposes.
Austro-Hungarian WW1 variants Development and production with
Stahlhelme|247x247px
Austro-Hungarian interest in specialized head protection emerged concretely only in 1916, primarily driven by industrial initiatives and battlefield reports, making it the last of the major European powers to develop and produce a steel head protection. Initial experimentation was conducted by
Gebrüder Böhler & Co. A.G., which in February 1916 proposed a variety of steel alloys and prototypes, including twenty-two distinct designs ranging from French-style models to
dragoon-type and visor-style headpieces. Ballistic trials demonstrated that only heavy variants exceeding 4.5 mm in thickness could withstand direct rifle fire, while lighter models were effective only against shrapnel. Concurrently, captured Italian
Farina helmets were tested, though they proved cumbersome and ballistically insufficient for widespread use. Faced with a critical shortage of nickel and chromium, the Austro-Hungarian
Kriegsministerium (KM) initially explored emergency solutions, such as the
Stahlhauben (steel skullcaps) designed by Carl Lepold Hollitzer to be fitted over existing leather or tin
dragoon helmets. However, persistent requests from frontline units - notably the Tyrolean mountain defense - emphasized the urgent need for a dedicated combat helmet to mitigate injuries from grenade fragments and rock splinters. In mid-1916, interest shifted toward the German
Stahlhelm pattern. Despite early attempts by
Phönix-Bleckmann (JEB prototypes) and
Böhler to develop domestic designs, the technical superiority and standardization of the German model led to its official adoption for national production to avoid further delays. The manufacturing process was a complex industrial cycle involving several specialized facilities. Steel production was decentralized across various
Stahlwerke: • Gebrüder Böhler & Co. A.G.:
Kapfenberg, Austria (identifying stamp: B) • Eisenwerke Brüder Lapp:
Rottenmann, Austria (identifying stamp: L) • Poldihütte A.G.:
Kladno, Bohemia, Czech Republic (identifying stamp: P) • Phönixstahlwerke (Johann Eugen Bleckmann):
Mürzzuschlag, Austria (identifying stamps: B, P, or a stylized phoenix often resembling a triangular A) • Manfred Weiss, Munitions, Stahl- und Metallwerke A.G.:
Csepel, Hungary (identifying stamp: numerical series) • Nadráger Eisenindustrie-Gesellschaft:
Nadrág, then Hungary, now modern day Romania (no identified symbols found) • Resicza-ku. Eisen- u. Stahlwerke:
Resicza, then Hungary, now modern day Romania (identifying stamp: distorted R resembling a B, or a simple R) • M. Hainisch:
Vienna, Austria (identifying stamp: H) The production network was further characterized by specialized industrial relationships and stringent quality control measures. It is highly probable that the
Nadráger Eisenindustrie-Gesellschaft worked exclusively for
Manfred Weiss, focusing its output on supplying the necessary steel for the Csepel facility. Meanwhile, other contributors faced technical challenges; for instance, a significant volume of steel sheets manufactured by
M. Hainisch was ultimately rejected for failing to meet the required ballistic and structural standards. The industrial cycle began with the creation of steel billets (
Platinen), which were rolled into sheets (
Helmbleche) and cut into squares (
Quadratebleche). These were subsequently shaped into circular discs (
Ronden) for the deep drawing process. The transformation into a finished helmet shell required six to seven cold-drawing stages, interspersed with annealing to relieve internal stresses and prevent metal fracturing. Following the shaping of the shell, the edges were rolled and the vent and rivet holes were punched. The final structural integrity was achieved through a hardening process involving heating the shells and quenching them in a specialized oil bath - a mixture of mineral and vegetable oils - which also provided a primary blackened finish (
blueing). A final tempering phase ensured the necessary elasticity. Quality control was rigorous; the Technical Military Committee (
TMK) mandated batch testing where one percent of production was subjected to ballistic trials before acceptance. Following the tempering phase and the successful completion of quality controls, the helmet shells underwent the final finishing stage. The exterior and interior surfaces were painted in a specific shade known as Feld
braun (also known ad Isonzo-braun), a dull brownish-green pigment derived from linseed oil and mineral additives. To ensure the surface remained matte and non-reflective, materials such as gypsum or fine sand were mixed into the paint. Despite these efforts to provide a camouflage finish, the paint layer frequently became polished and shiny through prolonged field use and handling. Once the paint had dried, the final assembly took place with the insertion of internal accessories, including the liner (typically made of three padded leather pockets attached to a metal or leather band) and the chinstrap. While the majority of liners were supplied by
Adolph Müller & Söhne in Vienna, these components were sometimes purchased from private contractors. Regardless of their origin, all internal parts had to undergo rigorous inspection, a task often performed by
Monturdepot 5. This department was frequently responsible for the final assembly of the padded liners and chinstraps into the painted shells - unless this process had already been completed by the manufacturing plants themselves - and subsequently marked the components with an official inspection stamp. Furthermore, although primarily dedicated to shell production,
Adolf Westen A.G. and
Austria Emaillierwerke A.G. were occasionally commissioned to manufacture the internal metal bands that supported the liner. For logistical transport, the completed helmets were stacked in towers; to prevent the fresh paint from scratching or sticking, sheets of waxed paper were placed between each unit. These stacks were then loaded into wooden crates or directly onto railway wagons for mass shipment toward the various fronts of the conflict. The Austro-Hungarian industrial effort resulted in four distinct versions of the steel helmet, each characterized by specific design features and production standards. These models included the M17
Normalhelm (standard helmet), which followed the German pattern and was produced in sizes 64, 66, and 68; the M17
National pattern (also known as the
Berndorfer model), manufactured exclusively in size 66; the M17/18 variant, commonly referred to by the nickname P
aperino due to its unique visor shape, produced in size 66; and finally the M18 "Hungarian" model, which was manufactured in size 64. Domestic production was carried out by several authorized facilities, each typically assigned to a specific shell size (measured by external circumference in centimeters) to optimize manufacturing efficiency: • Arthur Krupp A.-G. Berndorfer Metallwarenfabrik;
Berndorf, present day Austria: the stamp on the helmet was a little bear, followed by the size number, 66 for the national pattern and early P
aperino model, and size 64 for the later M18 All the following industries produced only the stahlhelm m17
Normalhelm (standard helmet) according to the german pattern: • Adolf Westen A.-G. Stanz-und Emaillierwerke; in
Celje, present day
Slovenia: the stamp on the helmet was AW, followed by the size number 64 • Brüder Gottlieb und Brauchbar Brünner Email-, Eisen- und Blechwaren-Fabrik der Brüder Gottlieb & Brauchbar; in
Brno, present day
Czech Republic: the stamp on the helmet was BGB, followed by the size number 66. BGB was also tasked with producing two prototypes face masks to be applied to the M17 stahlhelm (one, manufactured with a sheet produced by
Phönix-Bleckmann still exists and can be seen in the following paragraph) • Carl August Scholtz Metallwarenfabrik: the stamp on the helmet was C.A.S., followed by the size number 66 • Gebrüder Böhler & Co. A.-G.; in
Kapfenberg, present day Austria.: the stamp on the helmet was a star, followed by the size number 66 • Manfred Weiss Stahl- und Metallwerke A.-G.; in Csepel,
Budapest, present day
Hungary: the stamp on the helmet was an interposed M on a W, followed by the size number 64 • Warchalowsky, Eissler & Co. A.-G.; in
Vienna, present day Austria: the stamp on the helmet was WE, followed by the size number 66 or 68 (Warchalowsky was the only factory, with the sole exception of Berndorfer, to produce helmets in more than one size) The average dimensions and weight of the German-pattern steel helmets produced in Austria-Hungary are similar to those of German production: • size 64: L 30.5 cm, W 23 cm, H 17.4 cm • size 66: L 31.2 cm, W 23.2 cm, H 17.5 cm • size 66: L 30.8 cm, W 24.2 cm, H 17.3 cm • size 68: L 31.8 cm, W 24 cm, H 17.7 cm The sheet metal thickness of finished and painted helmets is of an average thickness slightly exceeding 1.15 mm across all production facilities. The weight of the helmet shells consistently exceeded the standard 1,100 grams, never falling below 1,200 grams. This weight increased progressively according to size, reaching nearly 1,400 grams for size 68 helmets complete with all internal accessories. Throughout the war, over a million Stahlhelm of all domestic and imported variants were issued. This total includes approximately 416,000 helmets purchased from Germany between November 1916 and the end of the conflict. Domestic production reached significant volumes, with the Berndorfer Metallwarenfabrik contributing 141,264 units of the M17 National pattern and 195,307 units of the M18 "Hungarian" model. The most widely produced domestic variant was the M17 Normalhelm (German pattern), with 534,013 units manufactured in total, the majority of which were produced at the Berndorf facility.
Austro-Hungarian M1917 - Normalhelm The
Austrian M17 helmet was similar to the German M16, it was indicated "
nach deutschem Muster“ i.e. "following Germany's example" or simply
Normalhelm (standard helmet). The M17 served as the cornerstone of Austro-Hungarian head protection, functioning as the primary model issued to the vast majority of imperial and royal forces. From May 1917 till the end of World War I 534,013 were produced, many of which were manufactured at the
Krupp in
Berndorf, Lower Austria. While it shared the general silhouette and ballistic principles of the German M16, it was a distinct domestic adaptation refined to meet the specific logistical and material constraints of the Dual Monarchy. The helmet was defined by its high-domed shell, steep visor, and an extended neck guard designed for comprehensive coverage. A subtle yet significant ergonomic improvement over the original German design was the placement of the chinstrap attachment rivets, which were set higher on the shell to provide greater comfort for the wearer. Its most recognizable feature and the primary way to differentiate it from German-made counterparts, as mentioned above, was the chinstrap system. Unlike the leather straps used by Germany, the Austro-Hungarian version utilized coarse canvas or hemp webbing in shades ranging from kaki to olive green. This strap was secured directly to the internal liner band through metal loops or D-rings, whereas the German pattern relied on mounting posts riveted to the shell itself. These canvas straps were typically fitted with a pronged buckle and featured anywhere from six to twelve adjustment eyelets. The interior of the helmet was equally diverse, containing three internal pads anchored to a lightweight metal band perforated with holes; the hole liner assembly was fixed in the helmet thanks to three split pins, on the side and one (usually taller) on the back. These pads were produced from a wide variety of leathers, with tones spanning from traditional brown to white, the latter often being sourced from rabbit or kidskin. The leather was generally thinner and more fragile than that used by their German ally. As the war progressed and resources became increasingly scarce, the materials used for these liners became more eclectic, and by the end of the war the pads usually were made with oilcloth; these pads were often reinforced on the reverse side with small strips of leather and a metal washer for added durability. The pouches containing the horsehair padding were fashioned from various textiles, sometimes even featuring intricate or colourful patterns.
Berndorfer variants Starting in the spring of 1917, the Berndorfer company initiated the production of steel helmets, initially manufacturing shields for the national model using its own materials and supplying them as complete sets with internal linings. By 1918, the factory transitioned to producing steel helmets based on the German design, utilizing steel sheets provided by the state. The Metallwarenfabrik A. Krupp of Berndorf held a unique position within the Dual Monarchy as the only manufacturer to produce every variety of helmet, including both domestic designs and those based on the German model. The company was particularly notable for its total industrial self-sufficiency, as it was able to manufacture all helmet components and any necessary spare parts entirely in-house. To shape these helmets through the deep-drawing process, Berndorfer used steel sheets sourced from several prominent mills, such as Phönix of Bleckmann, Böhler, and, by 1918, Resicza. This scale of operation established the company as one of the top three
Helmwerke (helmet factories), and potentially even the largest, in terms of the total volume of head protections produced for the empire. Every
Stahlhelm (steel helmet) manufactured in Berndorf is identified by a very specific trademark stamped into the neck guard, which features a stylized bear sitting above a number indicating the helmet's circumference. Some examples were also retained for parade use by senior officers, who were not generally issued with the
Stahlhelm.
M1935 In 1934 tests began on an improved
Stahlhelm, whose design was a development of World War I models. The company "Eisenhüttenwerke
Thale" (today Thaletec) carried out prototype design and testing, with Dr Friedrich Schwerd once again taking a hand. The new helmet was pressed from sheets of
molybdenum steel in several stages. The size of the flared visor and skirt was reduced, and the large projecting lugs for the obsolete armour shield were eliminated. The ventilator holes were retained but were set in smaller hollow rivets mounted to the helmet's shell. The edges of the shell were rolled over, creating a smooth edge along the helmet. Finally, a completely new leather suspension, or liner, was incorporated that greatly improved the helmet's safety, adjustability, and comfort for each wearer. These improvements made the new M1935 helmet lighter, more compact, and more comfortable to wear than the previous designs. The
Army's Supreme Command within the Third Reich's
Wehrmacht or combined armed forces officially accepted the new helmet on 25 June 1935 and it was intended to replace all other helmets in service. Known as the
gladiator pattern, the privately purchased Luftschutz helmet was originally made from three pieces of steel and typically painted black or dark blue. Later in the war these were issued to
Volkssturm personnel, and sometimes repainted in
Feldgrün. By 1944, the helmets were stamped from a single steel sheet, and the original leather lining replaced with vinyl or cloth to reduce costs. A modified postwar version in fluorescent green, white or yellow continued to be issued to rescue workers in the
Bundesrepublik until the early 1990s.
M1940 The M1935 design was slightly modified in 1940 to simplify its construction, the manufacturing process now incorporating more automated stamping methods. The principal change was to stamp the ventilator hole mounts directly onto the shell, rather than utilizing separate fittings. In other respects, the M1940 helmet was identical to the M1935. The Germans still referred to the M1940 as the M1935, while the M1940 designation were given by collectors.
Fallschirmjäger version A variant of the M1935 helmet with a shell lacking the projecting visor and deep flared rim was issued to (
German paratrooper) units. It was so designed in order to lessen the risk of head injury on landing after a parachute jump; also to reduce the significant wind resistance and resulting neck trauma. Early helmets were manufactured from existing M1935 helmets by removing the undesirable projections, which were omitted when the new design entered full production. The modified shell also incorporated a completely different and more substantial liner and chinstrap design that provided far more protection for German airborne troops. The chinstrap featured a four-point retention system that has come into use again by modern combat helmets such as the
MICH since the late 1990s.
M1942 The M1942 design was a result of wartime demands, by order of Hitler, to 'maintain intimidation but reduce cost'. The rolled edge on the shell was eliminated, creating an unfinished edge along the rim. This edge slightly flared out, along the base of the skirt, reducing the protection the helmet gave. The elimination of the rolled edge expedited the manufacturing process and reduced the amount of metal used in each helmet. Shell paint colours were typically matte grey-green (Heer) or grey-blue (Luftwaffe), and the decals were eliminated in 1943 to speed up production and reduce the helmet's combat visibility. Greater manufacturing flaws were also observed in M1942 helmets made late in the war.
M1944 A new variant, designed in 1942 by the Institute for Defence Technical Materials Science in Berlin, was the so called M44. It was stamped out of one piece of metal, but with sloped sides. It was similar in appearance to the
British 1944 Type Mk III helmet. They were tested in three variant models B, B/II, and C. The one selected for extensive tests was the B/II. They were produced by the Thale Eisenhüttenwerke. The B/II would later inspire the East German M56, which looked very similar to the M44. The M44 helmet was never approved for service and it remained a prototype.
M1945 There have been reports of a variant manufactured in the last months of the war. The M1945 was reported to have been similar to the M1942 design but did away completely with the ventilator. These helmets are reported to be extremely rare. Many collectors and historians are of the opinion that the M1945 helmet is just a regular M1942 helmet that lacked the vents simply because of machine malfunctions in the factory, or unfinished M1942 helmets that were completed in the post-war era. The design was not used until the requirement for a distinct German helmet for the
Volkspolizei and the
National People's Army arose. The East German leadership was motivated in large part by a desire to avoid provoking the offence that using a traditional
Stahlhelm design would have caused East Germany's Warsaw Pact allies (especially Czechoslovakia, Poland and the Soviet Union), but a more practical military necessity was also present due to the continued use of surplus
Stahlhelme by West German units, in particular border guards. Moreover, the East Germans suspected the West could re-issue the
Stahlhelm on a general basis in the Bundeswehr at any time and therefore needed a helmet that was easily distinguishable from that of their potential enemy. For both reasons, the 1942 design was likely chosen because it was the most similar of all German designs to the most recognizable
Soviet helmets, in particular the iconic
SSh-40 design. Such a design not only served a political purpose but was one that NATO armies were unlikely to duplicate closely. Indeed, the M-56 was similar enough in appearance to the SSh-40 that some Westerners failed to realize its Germanic origins altogether and assumed the East Germans had adopted a Soviet design. The M-56 helmet came in three basic versions, Mod 1 or I/56, Mod 2 or I/57 and Mod 3 or I/71, and was widely sold (or given) to
Third World armies.
West Germany variants M40/51 When the
Bundesgrenzschutz (BGS) (Federal Border Guards of Germany) was formed in 1951, it was supplied with old salvaged and refurbished M35, M40 or M42 helmets. Among the changes made, there was the replacement of the interior and the introduction of new eyelets for the chinstrap, some welded inside the helmet some even fixed to the helmet with rivets. The helmets for the BGS were repainted in dark green RAL 6012. With the progressive depletion of stocks, starting from 1951 new helmets were produced following the construction rules of the M40 model. Regarding the interior, was used the simplified M31 type, with a chinstrap directly fixed to it, (adopted above all by the police forces of the Länder), and a liner with a chinstrap fixed to the helmet according to the methods described above; this version was adopted by the BGS.
M40/53 Starting in 1953, a further update of the interior was introduced with the type called I53, developed by the company Schuberth Werke Braunschweig. This interior was no longer fixed with the classic three nails that ran along the helmet shell but by a screw placed inside, in the centre of the upper part of the helmet. For this reason the helmet is recognizable from the previous versions by the absence of the rivets on the shell. In later versions, the ventilation holes were also removed. As regards to the fastening of the chinstrap, were used the same solutions of the previous model.
M56 & M1A1 The
West German M-56
Stahlhelm was a direct copy of the U.S. M1 helmet. It was properly called "zweiteiliger
Stahlhelm" (two-piece steel helmet). In 1958 the helmet was made as a one-piece helmet and renamed
Stahlhelm M1A1. The M1A1 came in three sizes: 66, 68, and 71. This helmet was used until 1981 when a modified version was released and renamed the Helm1A1. Modifications included a 3-point chin strap with the third point connecting at the nape, extra-large sizes, and a further adjustable liner. The M1A1
Stahlhelm remained in service until 1992 when the
Bundeswehr replaced it with a
PASGT-derived
kevlar helmet called the
Gefechtshelm ("Combat helmet"). ==Decals and insignia==