Model 1916 – Steel Helmets of the World Wars

Lithuanian M16/17*

Special Note: As with the Latvian helmet that I have posted, it was a dilemma deciding whether to put this helmet in the WWII Axis or the WWII Allied sections. Lithuanian history during this period is complex. In truth, it belongs in neither section and there should be separate category for helmets from the BalticContinue reading “Lithuanian M16/17*”

Finnish/Austrian M17*

General Information: The German WWI style helmets were the main type used by the Finnish army in the 1920s and 30s and through the First Winter War. After this period a surprising variety of other helmets were secured, but the German WWI models continued to be used throughout the war and into the early post-warContinue reading “Finnish/Austrian M17*”

Italian M16/20

General Information: During the Spanish Civil War, soldiers from both sides wore a variety of helmets. One common type used predominantly by Nationalist forces was the Italian Model 1916/20. These were refurbished First World War Model 1916 helmets or post-war produced Model 1916/20s. One easy way to distinguish between the Italian M1916s in their originalContinue reading “Italian M16/20”

Portuguese M16

General Information: The Portuguese Model 1916 was used by the Portuguese Expeditionary Corp (Corpo Expedicionário Português, CEP) on the Western Front during the First World War. The helmet was modeled after helmets made by the Mackintosh company in Britain. These were supplied to hatters for resale as private purchase helmets, mainly for use by officers.Continue reading “Portuguese M16”

Italian M16

General Information: Initially, the Italians used French Model 1915 Adrian helmets imported from France. Starting in 1916, they produced a domestic version of the Adrian helmets. These were referred to in official documents as the Modello Lippman helmets after their designer.[1] The Lippmann helmet improved on the original French Adrian in several ways. It was madeContinue reading “Italian M16”

German M16*

General Information: The German Model 1916 is widely considered to be the best helmet of the First World War in terms of its ability to protect the soldiers from head wounds. The one-piece construction provided a degree of structural integrity lacking in the four-piece French Model 1915 and the chromium-nickel steel composition was a strongContinue reading “German M16*”