Spring Military Aviation and Militaria Auction
Lot 248:
Description
This lot presents a truly remarkable and historically significant artifact from World War I: a German Model 1918 (M1918) Combat Helmet featuring an original, factory-applied camouflage paint scheme and a distinctive integrated chinstrap system. The M1918 model is the final and most refined iteration of the famous Stahlhelm, recognizable by the cut-out flares on the skirt near the ears, designed to improve hearing.The helmet is marked with the manufacturer code "K64" on the interior skirt, indicating production by the Siemens-Schuckertwerke (K) factory in size 64.The helmet shell is finished with a striking, period factory camouflage pattern utilizing a multi-color segmentation (likely Black, Green, Red-Brown, and Ochre) separated by thick black lines. The paint is worn, showing surface scratching and patina appropriate for a century-old combat helmet, with some areas of the original base finish visible beneath. The iconic protruding ventilation/chinstrap lugs on the side are intact, though the right side lug appears to have been removed in the field and replaced with a rivet, a common modification.The interior is exceptional and displays the specialized M1918 liner system. This includes the original leather liner pads and a highly interesting, integrated leather chinstrap/headband assembly that attaches directly to the liner band (not the shell lugs). The leather is heavily worn, dried, and exhibits the character expected from a front-line relic, but the complexity of this strap system is a distinct and rare feature of this final WWI model.This M1918 is an exceptional collector?s piece, combining the highly desirable factory camouflage with the rare M1918 liner and chinstrap configuration, making it a powerful visual and material connection to the Great War.
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