
INFO LINK : History of the Wehrmacht
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
- Typical mid war single decal issue M18 with steel liner band
- Has the HJ&K decal often seen on Transitionals
- Interesting identifying tag stuck on the back.






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
- Single band aluminium liner with the flat rivet heads as commonly observed
- Size stamp imprinted in the leather
- 1933 Roller buckle chinstrap
- Rare W Abels type decal (only observed on early TR helmets)








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
- Steel liner band – pig skin leather
- Note the dark paint on the rivet heads which is typical for this configuration
- HJ&K style decal , greylined
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)
- 1940 dated liner band
- Has the ET style decal






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.




Unidentified maker size 64 – M18 Ventless
- 1935 dated liner band.
- Head size has been painted on the rim
- The decal is the Huber Jordan type.




Unidentified maker size 66 – M18 Ventless
- Earlier variant than the single decal helmet posted above
Photos courtesy of RonR







