M18 Ear cutout

I really like ear cut outs! The paint appears to have texture like used on transitional ww2 re-works. I might be tempted to replace the liner with an original ww2 one. Either way, great find.
Ron
 
Kaikun2001 said:
Hi it was a while since I posted, but here is my newest addition to my collection. Nice solid M18 helmet, sadly it has been repainted. Former collector also added a new liner inside. Still I am very happy to own one that is rust free and solid. View attachment 60838

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I love them
I never did get the real story about why they were made that way
and what troops they were for.
Years ago I hear for use with earphones
then I saw photos of the cavalry wearing them
Steve
 
The ear cut out helmets were made only in size 57, the shell being stamped xx64. I don’t recall if they were produced by more than one maker. I believe the original build quantity was 200,000 in mid 1918. The design was meant to improve hearing quality. It was also meant to reduce the rustling noise through the side lug vents in windy conditions. I have seen period photos of them being worn by telephone operators, but I suspect they were meant for all users and nothing specific. The two I have are both transitional ww2 reissue and the paint is too thick to read the markings.
 
coert65 said:
Neither can I. Markings are important regarding any helmet, but with these ear-cutouts even more.
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Agreed, I see ET64 on mine, the only thing I have trouble reading is the lot number in the dome, since it has been repainted it’s more faint. I see nothing amiss compared to my other two ECO that I have 😊
 
Kaikun2001 said:
Agreed, I see ET64 on mine, the only thing I have trouble reading is the lot number in the dome, since it has been repainted it’s more faint. I see nothing amiss compared to my other two ECO that I have 😊
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Try a tiny bit of water rubbed over the lot number. Back in my stahlhelm collecting days I built a large lot number database over on GHW.
 
WOW you have three M18 ECOs. :oops:(y)

You should provide a few more pictures of the helmet one from straight on and also a close up of any markings. Real war time M18 ECOs as I'm sure you already know are extremely hard to find these days and can command a very high price.

Looking closely at this one of your three in several spots where the paint has chipped you will notice a white material underneath the modern paint and looking even closer at the original parts of the helmet that are revealed you can see the pitted rust.

Screenshot_6-6-2025_9858_www.pickelhaubes.com.jpeg

There are several helmet restorers who buy rusty dug helmets in relic condition and resurface them with filler much like a car and then repaint them to great effect.

I had one done very similar to this one many years ago by Kenny who I believe still does this today and sells them today on his website German Helmets Inc. Kenny is a master and really achieves a remarkable factory smooth finish. His works are the best for reenactors IMO there is nothing better than wearing a real shell that was literally saved from the grave and made new again.

I would love to see pictures of your other two as well as a few more pictures of this one. Thanks for sharing It's always nice to see as many examples as possible to compare and I'm sure it can be a learning experience for some members. (y)
 
John Josef said:
WOW you have three M18 ECOs. :oops:(y)

You should provide a few more pictures of the helmet one from straight on and also a close up of any markings. Real war time M18 ECOs as I'm sure you already know are extremely hard to find these days and can command a very high price.

Looking closely at this one of your three in several spots where the paint has chipped you will notice a white material underneath the modern paint and looking even closer at the original parts of the helmet that are revealed you can see the pitted rust.

View attachment 60952

There are several helmet restorers who buy rusty dug helmets in relic condition and resurface them with filler much like a car and then repaint them to great effect.

I had one done very similar to this one many years ago by Kenny who I believe still does this today and sells them today on his website German Helmets Inc. Kenny is a master and really achieves a remarkable factory smooth finish. His works are the best for reenactors IMO there is nothing better than wearing a real shell that was literally saved from the grave and made new again.

I would love to see pictures of your other two as well as a few more pictures of this one. Thanks for sharing It's always nice to see as many examples as possible to compare and I'm sure it can be a learning experience for some members.
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John Josef said:
it’s been repainted and had some rust pitting on the vent holes😊 but no filler or anything it is intact very solid and sturdy. I have dealt with serveral genuine pieces before both that had filler etc.
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John Josef said:
. 1st picture shows the helmet above 👆, the second and third picture shows my two other examples that I have.
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