Germany, Imperial. A Model 1916 Heer Camouflage Stahlhelm

(Deutsches Reich 1. Weltkrieg Stahlhelm M 1916 in Mimikri-Tarnanstrich). A very well-preserved Heer (Army) Model 1916 Stahlhelm (steel helmet), constructed of a single sheet of magnetic molybdenum steel. The exterior retains the vast majority of a hand-painted wartime original camouflage paint scheme, consisting of irregular patterns of dark green, light brown, and red-brown separated by black borders. Five studs are distributed around the outer circumference of the shell for the accommodation of the interior fixtures, while the crown is also flanked by protruding ventilation lugs. The rim of the skirt is full crimped, providing a smooth edge. The interior is surrounded by a thick blackened leather ring, fixed in position with the shell rivets, which in turn accommodates a three-piece leather liner, with each segment retaining a reverse padded cotton backer, and perforated at the top with two eyelets for the accommodation an original drawstring. Magnetic metal studs are set into each side of the skirt for the accommodation of a leather chinstrap which is adjusted with a functional brass buckle. Stamped onto the left side of the skirt is a size mark of “66”, in turn situated adjacent to an illegible maker’s mark. Notably, a handwritten owner’s surname of “MELL” is visible on the back of the skirt. The helmet measures approximately 24 cm (w) x 31 cm (l) x 17 cm (h). Some issues consistent with age and field use are evident, and include some scratching to both the interior and exterior of the shell, fatigue to the leather fixtures which include the loss of the eyelets to one segment of the liner, as well as a small tear to the chinstrap (which remains intact but fragile). This superb and untouched example of an early camouflage helmet remains in a near extremely fine condition.