1. sv. válka - Přilba M16

Stahlhelm M16
Helmet M16
Stahlhelm M16

During World War I, the leather Pickelhaube proved completely unsuitable for trench warfare. They were too expensive, they stood up poorly to the harsh conditions in the trenches, and most importantly, they offered virtually no protection to the soldiers, which was the cause of a huge number of head injuries. Therefore, better protection for the soldiers began to be considered.
Already in 1915, General Gaede, concerned about the high number of head injuries among his soldiers, introduced a helmet of his own design.

After extensive tests, the most suitable shape for the best possible protection of the head and neck was chosen. The design of the helmet was based on helmets popular in the 16th century. In February 1916, a smaller number of steel helmets were produced and were trial deployed with frontline troops at the Battle of Verdun. The result was a radical reduction in head injuries sustained by soldiers, which led to the mass production of M16 helmets and the subsequent replacement of Pickelhaube helmets with the new steel helmets across the Western Front in the following months and, by mid-1917, on the Eastern Front as well. Initially, it was common for units leaving the trenches to change helmets for the units that were replacing them, and in photographs from this period it is common to see soldiers in the same unit wearing both types of helmet because for a time supplies did not keep up with demand.

The basic bell of the helmet was formed from a single steel disc and went through at least nine stages of moulding before it reached its final shape. The rivets on either side of the bottom rim hold the same quick-release patent for attaching the chin guard as was the case with the Pickelhaube M1891, and the m16 also uses the same type of chin guards. The bezel was originally made of leather, later sheet metal, and was attached to the bell with three split rivets. The padding consisted of three leather strips with pads on the inside, connected by a drawstring, which formed a very effective internal system for adjusting the size of the helmet. The frame and liner were designed to leave a space of one finger's width between it and the sides of the helmet and two fingers from the top of the helmet, which was intended to prevent injuries from objects hitting the helmet and denting it, or just superficially damaging it.

The sides of the helmet have massive protrusions - "horns", which gave the helmet the nickname "horn". These are the covers of the helmet's air vents, which also served to attach a special additional armour called Stirnpanzer, which could be combined with a special full body armour called Grabenpanzer. Together they formed highly effective protection, but because of their great weight they were very unpopular and soldiers discarded them at the first opportunity.

M16 helmets were produced in several sizes, as was already customary with the Pickelhaube. The smallest size was 60, the largest 68, but a few size 70s were also produced. Helmets of the smaller sizes - 60, 62 and 64 had a special groove on the vent cover for attaching an additional armour, which was produced only in one, universal size. The helmet size is usually marked on the inside of the helmet bell.

The helmets were painted in field grey (Feldgrau). During the winter of 1916, a white helmet coating was tested as a winter camouflage, but it did not prove very successful. In February 1917, however, a grey canvas helmet covering was introduced to prevent the sun and moon reflecting on the helmet surface. On 7 July 1918 the General Staff came up with a new camouflage scheme for helmets. For the new helmets, diamond-shaped areas of green, yellow, and brown were placed on a green or brown base, separated from each other by black bands approximately one finger wide. Helmets that were already in the field were camouflaged as local conditions allowed, so there are a large variety of different designs, including camouflage without the black bands. Helmets with camouflage, however, are not very common and are highly prized by collectors, despite the general order.

As early as 1917, production of a simplified version of this helmet began - the factory-complicated clamping taken from Pickelhaube helmets was removed and the bib was clamped directly to the frame of the helmet liner. This simplified variant is referred to as the Stahlhelm M18. Both types were used simultaneously and remained in service until the introduction of the M35 helmet.


Source:
https://www.worldwar1.com/sfgstal.htm
https://www.cascoscoleccion.com/alemania/al16.htm
Photo:
www.aukro.cz

URL : https://www.valka.cz/1-sv-valka-Prilba-M16-t74749#274884 Version : 0
Different types of frames and shapes of air vents
URL : https://www.valka.cz/1-sv-valka-Prilba-M16-t74749#274885 Version : 0
Helmet m16 with canvas cover
URL : https://www.valka.cz/1-sv-valka-Prilba-M16-t74749#274886 Version : 0
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