Reichswehr Stahlhelm - Your opinions

[Claudio]

Dear Forum Members,

As it's not my area of expertise, I would like to ask for your opinion on the authenticity of this post WWI helmet (M18?). The shell looks good and you can also see some traces of the original paint underneath. Could this helmet be an original WWI helmet that was refurbished for later use in the Weimar Republic or later in the 30s? The interior looks like it was set up for WW2.

Thank you in advance for your kind and much appreciated input and opinions.

Sincerely,

Claudio

 

[Amybellars]

This is an Austrian reissue helmet. I don't have a very good knowledge of the ww2 liner but liner looks OK. Paint work is bad.

 

[Zebedeus]

In my humble opinion the hrlmet is good and probably was after war reutilized with the change of liner and overpainted. The grey color seems the one of austrian gendarmerie. Zeb.

 

[tony v]

It is indeed and Austrian WW1 helmet with a post 1931 liner and chin strap.

It is not a Reichswehr issue helmet in my opinion as they didn't utilise the Austrian ones as they had enough spares of their own.

Possibility could be a Austrian Police issue mid 1930's or Wehrmacht/police issue after 1938. The paint work is not standard for the military I think.

Here is one of my Reichswehr helmets as a guide to colours. This one has been ww1 issue then 1931 liner added and then decal post 1935 ! Hope that helps.

cheers Tony