Transitional Heer Helmets (M16 – M18)

Observations :

Exist as double decal , single decal and without decal.
Transitionals come in all paint colors (from light green to dark grey) and textures. Both hand re-painted and factory painted shells exist.
These helmets have been used throughout the second world war. You can see them a lot being worn by combat units in photos from 1939 – 1940. Later in the war you will see them more in use with Auxiliary units.
Almost all known Heer decal types have been observed on these shells except for the Quist Big foot decal.

Look in the Decals sub menu for details on Heer decals.

SCROLL DOWN FOR EXAMPLES OF DIFFERENT HELMETS

Gebrüder Gnüchtel A.G size 62 – M16

This is probably one of the earliest decalled Third Reich helmets you can find.
Original WW1 leather liner configuration
Original WW1 chinstrap (not pictured)
Toned Pocher Eagle decal – A good example that shows how hard a decal can tone to gold/yellow.

Unidentified maker size 64 – M18

Has a the earliest style single aluminium liner band , recogniseable by the thick rivets used to secure the leather.
No size stamp imprinted in the leather but ink stamped in the inner shell
The helmet was roughly painted with the liner band in it , paint has spilled onto the band and the leather
Early (pre 35) rollerbuckle chinstrap
Uneven toned Pocher decal , also notice how the white of the tricolor has yellowed
Unit stamp

Unidentified maker size 64 – M18

Eisenhütte Silesia (Si) – Size 62 – M18

Steel liner band , date not visible but leather is stamped 1942.
Carries the Gustav Peiniger decal only observed on reissued helmets
The chinstrap is a Czech wartime applied one
A special feature is that the old WW1 lugs were removed , other helmets with this feature have been observed.
Also of note is how the liner band has been manipulated to make the front rivets fit.

Unidentified maker size 64 – M16

Unidentified maker – Austrian M17

Pea green Austrian helmet with the more rare E Jutner decal set.
Has a field manufactured camo band made from the elastic band they use for dust goggles.
Leather and chinstrap were treated with product unfortunately. I always advise to leave things as they are , you can read more about it here.

Unidentified maker – Austrian M17

This helmet was found in the woodwork in the USA in 2011.
1939 dated alu reinforced liner
Sports the Methner and Burger Heer eagle
Note that the old chinstrap attachments which were attached to the shell have been skilfully removed. You can see them still attached on the Austrian shells above.

Unidentified maker – Austrian M17

Photos courtesy of helmet2id

Eisenhüttenwerke Thale size 64 – M18 Cut out (WW1 Cavalry helmet)

Steel liner band , date not readable
Textured paintjob as observed on helmets after 1939 in combination with a single decal.
Sports a Huber Jordan Heer adler

Eisenhüttenwerke Thale size 64 – M18 Cut out (WW1 Cavalry helmet)

Eisenhüttenwerke Thale size 64 – M18 Cut out (WW1 Cavalry helmet)

Lot number B1056 F
1931 dated liner band.
This helmet has been re-painted later in the war , the 1st smooth green paint is clearly visible on the inside.
The rough textured paint is also applied on top of the Heer decal , possibly this was a double decal helmet originally.