"STAHLSCHUTZHELME" IMPERIAL GERMAN WW1 CAMO STEEL COMBAT HELMET REFERENCE BOOK

Description

The German army sought to break the stalemate on the Western Front in 1916 by organizing special units of elite assault infantry called "sturmtruppen", or stormtroops. They scoured the ranks for the fittest men, who were then extensively trained and issued specially designed weapons and equipment. Their M-1916 "stahlhelm" steel combat helmet proved so successful that it was quickly issued to the rest of the army. In July 1918, orders came down from the German high command with explicit instructions on how to camouflage the M-1916 helmet to reduce visibility. Large geometric shapes, separated by 1/2" thick black lines, were to be painted to break up the helmet's distinctive outline, and this camouflage produced some of the most iconic "stahlhelms" of the Great War. All Imperial German steel helmets of WW1, from "square dip" M-1916s to "ear cut out" M-1918s, have been of great interest to collectors for decades, leading Oliver Lock to write an authoritative reference book on the subject in 2020, released by the publisher just a few months ago. This "STAHLSCHUTZHELME" IMPERIAL GERMAN WW1 CAMO STEEL COMBAT HELMET REFERENCE BOOK is in near mint, unread condition, with only some light scattered storage wear evident (most pictured). Otherwise, the book is in near mint shape, with no other damage. Most interestingly, it boasts elegantly illustrated hardcovers, and sports 225 pages full of descriptive text, period pictures, and color photographs of the incredible early and scarce "Gaede" helmet and Panzer mask, the first M-1916 steel helmets with the distinctive "square dip" profile, the M-1918 "ear cut out" stahlhelm designed to improve hearing, "stirnschild" brow plates, numerous examples of M-1917 and M-1918 steel helmets painted with the classic geometric "Lozenge" camo, a white winter camo painted M-1918 stahlhelm, several captured "mail home" souvenir steel helmets, incredible details on finishes, face shield bolts/ventilation holes, liner bands, lappets, and pads, chinstraps (as well as their buckles and attachments), maker's marks, design and production history, and a plethora of other invaluable information. A beautiful example of a "STAHLSCHUTZHELME" IMPERIAL GERMAN WW1 CAMO STEEL COMBAT HELMET REFERENCE BOOK. Now celebrating over 20 years on eBay. Bid with confidence and please view our other great military, aviation, and sporting classics, including a German WW2 MWC LUFTWAFFE PILOT B-UHR AUTOMATIC WRIST WATCH in MINT, unworn, new in the box condition, sporting a crisp 60 minute/12 hour (outer/inner) white numbers black dial, and featuring the classic big "onion" crown and sweeping seconds hand with hacking function.
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