General Information: There was never an official designation for this helmet. Because it was produced in 1917, “M17” seems a good name. In contemporary documents it is sometimes identified as “Russian model helmet with shovel steel” or “ShLS” using the Russian abbreviation. This refers to the type of steel chosen for the helmet’s manufacture. InContinue reading “Russian M17*”
Tag Archives: World War I
British MKI*
General Information: The first helmet used by British soldiers in the First World War, the War Office Pattern Helmet (see “British Brodie”) had deficiencies that needed to be addressed. Chief among these were the raw edge which could cause injury. Other problems included reflective paint, and complaints about the liner being hot and slippery. ToContinue reading “British MKI*”
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*”
Austro-Hungarian M17*
General Information: The Austro-Hungarian Model 1917 helmet was almost identical to the German First World War helmets. The main exterior difference was that the Austro-Hungarian M17s were painted brown and the rivet for securing the chinstrap loop attachments was higher up. In period black and white photos, it is the location of the chinstrap rivetContinue reading “Austro-Hungarian M17*”
French Model 1915*
A proud French soldier displaying his M15 helmet* General Information: The French Model 1915 was the first modern era steel helmet and the first full production steel helmet to reach the battlefields in the First World War. Credit for the creation of the helmet is given to Intendant (quartermaster) general Agust-Louis Adrian.[1] He was responding to theContinue reading “French Model 1915*”
German M18*
* General Information: In July of 1918 the Germans introduced a new steel helmet, the Model 1918.[1] The new helmet was identical to the Model 1916/17 with the exception of the chinstrap configuration. The new chinstraps were made in two pieces with a carbine type clip that connected them. Instead of being connected by lugsContinue reading “German M18*”
British Brodie*
General Information: John Leopold Brodie filed a patent for this helmet in August of 1915. Officially, it was referred to as the “War Office Pattern” helmet; unofficially, it has been referred to by the name of the patent holder: “Brodie.” The helmet was cheap and easy to produce and offered good protection, particularly from overhead explodingContinue reading “British Brodie*”
Steel Helmets of the World Wars 