Transitional Helmets

Beginning in 1934 many World War I model helmets were refurbished for use by the Wehrmacht.  Helmets were gathered from surplus sources as well as from those in active use with Reichswehr troops.  The process of upgrading the helmets generally involved repainting the helmet with field gray paint both inside and out.  Painting of the helmets was almost always done by hand and brush.  The newly introduced Armed Forces Eagle (Wehrmachtsadler) was then applied to the left side of the helmet and the National tricolored shield to the right.  Refurbished helmets included the M1916, M1917, M1918, M1918 Ear Cut-Out, and the Austrian World War I model helmet.  Preferred helmets often included the M1918 and Austrian models because they were void of the large interior chinstrap lugs.  The lack of large lugs allowed the helmets to better accommodate the newer M1931 liner and chinstrap.  In some cases M1916 and M1917 helmets can be found where the large chinstrap lugs have been removed or ground off before repainting.  Helmets configured in this fashion were issued from 1934 through 1940.  Many helmets remained in service well after 1940 and saw combat with reserve troops until 1943.  Wartime photos clearly depict helmets of this configuration still in service as late as 1943.  Some helmets can also be found having the M1927 liner system and chinstrap as well as the World War I style three pad liners.

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This Information Track provides historical facts pertaining to Heer Transitional Model Helmets from 1934-1945.  Individual links related to this subject are outlined below.