An unusual and rare Winter camouflage German military helmet Stahlhelm M1916/1917 type will be of interest to collectors of World War I memorabilia at Unique Auctions sale on the 24th September. The auction also includes a number of Nazi items including Nazi Germany SS daggers, bayonets etc (click for more details).
The auction starts at 9.00am on the 24th September with viewing on Friday 22nd September from 9am-6pm and from 7am on the morning of the auction. The auction will also be available online via The Saleroom.
Origin of the Stahlhelm
The design of the Stahlhelm was carried out by Dr. Friedrich Schwerd of the Technical Institute of Hanover. In early 1915, Schwerd had carried out a study of head wounds suffered during trench warfare and submitted a recommendation for steel helmets, shortly after which he was ordered to Berlin. Schwerd then undertook the task of designing and producing a suitable helmet broadly based on the 15th century sallet, which provided good protection for the head and neck.
After lengthy development work, which included testing a selection of German and Allied headgear, the first Stahlhelms were tested in November 1915 at the Kummersdorf Proving Ground and then field tested by the 1st Assault Battalion. Thirty thousand examples were ordered, but it was not approved for general issue until New Years 1916, hence it is most usually referred to as the “Model 1916”. In February 1916 it was distributed to troops at Verdun, following which the incidence of serious head injuries fell dramatically. The first German troops who had to use this helmet had been the stormtroopers of the Sturm-Bataillon Nr. 5 (Rohr) which had been commanded by captain Willy Rohr.
In contrast to the Hadfield steel used in the British Brodie helmet, the Germans used a harder martensitic silicon/nickel steel. As a result, and also due to the helmet’s form, the Stahlhelm had to be formed in heated dies at a greater unit cost than the British helmet, which could be formed in one piece. (Source Wikipedia)
About Unique Auctions
Unique Auctions are one of Lincolnshire’s leading Auction Houses offering a range of regular Antique & Collectors sales. Unique Auctions handle every aspect of probate, house, agricultural, commercial and industrial clearances. For further information call UK +44 (0) 1522 690444 or visit https://www.unique-auctions.com
We are now accepting militaria, guns, pistols, Nazi items, swords, daggers, vintage air rifles etc for all future auctions. We also value militaria, guns, pistols, Nazi items, swords, daggers, vintage air rifles etc.
