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Photo:
The "ET 68" Stamp on an M1935 Luftwaffe
Helmet.
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Helmet Shell
Sizing |
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Combat helmets of all nations can be
described as having both a steel component (the outer shell) and an
inner component (the leather or canvas liner and metal band) that
accommodates the head size of the individual wearer. Allied
nations engaged in war against Germany produced combat helmets that
had one size of steel shell into which various sized liners were
inserted to accommodate different head sizes. The Allied "one
size fits all" concept was a relatively logical and straight forward
solution that streamlined wartime production. While Allied
helmet production was rather simple, German helmet production was
quite complex.
Instead of producing a single sized steel
helmet like their Allied counterparts, German helmet factories
manufactured at least six different helmet shell sizes for each model
of helmet made. Depending on its size, a helmet shell could
accommodate one of two different liner bands representing one of two
different head sizes. This was a rather complex process as it
required not only multiple shell stamping molds (one for each size of
helmet), but also manufacturers who could produce helmet liner bands
in a variety of sizes. Depending on the diameter of the shell
produced, each German helmet could only accommodate one of two
differently sized helmet liners. These liners were not easily removed
in the field and once inserted tended to remain there for the term of
the helmet's service.
It is not
precisely known why the Germans chose such a complex process for their
helmet sizing. No doubt, the complexity of the manufacturing
process must have caused great delays
in getting supplies to active front line troops. It has been
theorized that the complex "helmet-to-head-size" production
methodology had something to do with the fact that German tradition
placed great emphasis on the "smart" appearance of each and every
soldier. The reason for so many different helmet sizes can perhaps be
attributed to the Armed Forces' (Wehrmacht's) desire to make each
soldier look "proportionally correct" to his equipment and thus
continue the tradition of the "smart" appearance of men in German
uniform. |
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Overview
Each section of German-Helmets.com
is divided into separate Information Tracks that outline important
details, facts, and historical notes pertaining to steel helmets used by
the German Armed Forces during World War II.
Information Tracks are organized
by subject matter and their content is directly related to the service arm
or organization to which each topic is related. Topic areas that
bridge one subject matter to another are cross linked within each Information Track.
This Information Track provides historical
facts pertaining to shell sizes of the World War II German helmet. Individual links related to this subject are
outlined below.
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