Tag Archives: World War I

Polizei/Gendarme Reissue*

General Information: After the First World War, the Republic of Austria equipped the Polizei of Vienna and the gendarmerie in other parts of the country with German style steel helmets (see: Austrian Gendarme).  The Treaty of Saint-Germain-en-Laye (1919) prohibited the use of steel helmets for use by forces other than the Austrian federal army.[1] DespiteContinue reading “Polizei/Gendarme Reissue*”

Stirnpanzer*

General Information: From its inception, the German Model 1916 steel helmet was designed to accommodate an additional piece of protective armor called a Stirnpanzer (“forehead armor”). Because of the heavy weight of the stirnpanzers (1.2 kg), they were intended to be used only in special circumstances such as for trench fighting or forward observers.[1] InContinue reading “Stirnpanzer*”

German M18 ECO*

updated 10/7/2025 General Information: The Helm mit Ohrenausschnitten or “ear cutout helmet” was a variation of the German Model 1918. It is identical to the standard M18 but for the half-moon curved sections adjacent to the location of the wearer’s ears. The purpose of the cutouts was to improve hearing[1], not as was commonly believed,Continue reading “German M18 ECO*”