Fall 2026 Militaria and Aviation Auction
Lot 449:
Description
WWII German Polizei M16/18 DD Stahlhelm with Wire Camouflage. This striking WWII German Stahlhelm is an early-pattern M16/M18-style helmet subsequently reissued for Third Reich police service, retaining a heavily worn but identifiable Ordnungspolizei eagle shield decal on one side and the corresponding red, white and black Party shield on the opposite side. The Police decal displays the characteristic eagle-and-wreath design within a dark bordered shield, a form associated with German police helmets and transitional/reissue examples rather than the winged Luftschutz emblem used by the Reichsluftschutzbund.
The helmet retains a dark field-grey/green painted finish with substantial period wear, abrasions, oxidation, and paint loss consistent with prolonged service. Of particular interest is the extensive wire camouflage arrangement fitted around the shell. The wire has been formed irregularly across the crown and sides and remains secured around the helmet circumference, giving the piece an unmistakable field-used appearance. A period leather chinstrap remains present, showing considerable age and surface wear.
The interior retains its leather liner system, which displays considerable deterioration, dryness and losses from age and use. The exterior Police decal is significantly worn but remains recognizable, while the opposite Party shield retains strong portions of its red field, white roundel and black swastika.
The combination of an Imperial-era M16/M18-pattern shell, Third Reich Polizei double decals, field-grey repaint, surviving wire camouflage, liner and chinstrap makes this an especially visually compelling example of a transitional German police helmet. The Ordnungspolizei incorporated numerous police and related formations during the Third Reich, and surviving transitional-shell examples illustrate the continued wartime use of earlier helmet stocks long after newer M35/M40/M42 designs had entered service.
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