German M18 Transitional Helmet, Double Decal Add to Watch List Watching View Watchlist >

Following Germany's defeat in World War I, M18 steel helmets remained in military inventories. During the early 1930s, as Germany quietly began rebuilding its armed forces and expanding police organizations, many of these surplus helmets were reconditioned.  Helmets like this were repainted, received a variety of liner types and chin straps, and were reissued.  Extensive variety exists.  These refurbished helmets served as an economical stopgap until newly designed helmets, such as the M1934 and later the M1935, entered full production, making them an important transitional link between the Imperial German Army and the emerging military and police forces of the Third Reich.

This example is a WW1 M18 transitional helmet featuring an early Third Reich green paint over the original WW1 green paint. Manufacturer is W66.  This indicates the helmet was manufactured by Hermann Weissenburger & Co. out of Stuttgart. Less commonly encountered than other manufacturer codes.  Decals are 95% showing light scuffing near edges, with corresponding paint wear adjacent.  Liner is a leather-band liner with scarcely seen white tongues.  This liner is replaced at some point before deployment during the period (not a post-war collector replacement), as many of these helmets were reconditioned and serviced before being issued to the very early Wehrmacht troops.  Rivets were replaced from the WW1 style rivets when the liner was installed.