When was the Stahlhelm first issued to German troops?
General issue of the Stahlhelm began on New Year of 1916. The helmet became known as the Model 1916 and was distributed to troops at Verdun in February 1916.
Questions about Stahlhelm
Short answers, pulled from the story.
Who designed the original Stahlhelm prototype for Germany?
Dr Friedrich Schwerd of the Technical Institute of Hanover designed the Stahlhelm after studying head wounds from the Western Front. He submitted a recommendation for steel helmets and was ordered to Berlin to design a suitable model that followed the shape of the 15th-century sallet.
What countries received exported versions of the M1935 Stahlhelm between the wars?
Germany exported versions of the M1935 helmet to the Republic of China from 1935 to 1936 and to Spain during this period. Military missions under Hans Kundt also sent helmets to South America where Bolivia adopted the Stahlhelm after the Chaco War.
How did the Stahlhelm change from the M1942 design compared to earlier models?
The M1942 Stahlhelm eliminated the rolled edge on the shell creating an unfinished edge along the rim to expedite manufacturing and reduce metal usage. Shell paint colors were typically matte grey-green for the Heer or grey-blue for the Luftwaffe.
Until what year did the Bundeswehr use the Stahlhelm before replacing it with Kevlar?
The M1A1 Stahlhelm remained in service until 1992 when the Bundeswehr replaced it with a PASGT-derived Kevlar helmet called the Gefechtshelm. West Germany's border guards kept the Stahlhelm in their inventories until this replacement occurred.