Tag Archives: WW1

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*”

Norwegian M18 Reissue*

General Information: Norwegian armed forces reused helmets and other equipment left behind by surrendering German forces at the end of the Second World War. Most of the reissued helmets were the Model 1935/40/42 type, but some were World War One Model 1916/17/18 type that were reissued to German soldiers during World War Two. The NorwegiansContinue reading “Norwegian M18 Reissue*”

French M15 Foreign Legion*

General Information: Starting in October 1915 the helmets of African troops serving in the French Army were repainted mustard color. Surviving examples of this type are usually found with external mustard color paint over the original factory blue or grey-blue paint. Typically, the original factory paint remains on the interior. At the very end ofContinue reading “French M15 Foreign Legion*”

French Air Force M15/24*

General Information: Strictly speaking, this is not a First World War helmet. The helmet may have been used during the war, but the elegant air force badge was not issued until 1923 and was officially adopted in 1924.[1] The same badge was used on Model 1926 and Model 1937 helmets. On the official, statutory versionContinue reading “French Air Force M15/24*”

Czechoslovakian M15/18*

General Information: From August 1914 soldiers from the regions that eventually formed the state of Czechoslovakia – Bohemia, Slovakia, Moravia and Czech Silesia – served in the French Foreign Legion. At the end of 1917 a Czechoslovakian army within the French army was officially formed. These soldiers came from Czechs and Slovaks living in France,**Continue reading “Czechoslovakian M15/18*”