It seems that some attempts were made to improve the M16 Stahlhelm, resulting in the versions shown here. Circled is helmet with noseguard, Stirnpanzer, and ear cutouts. Model with noseguard on right. On left, Stahlhelm with Pickelhaube cover. The man on the left must be mucking about. Or they might all be. Are they wearing pyjamas under their tunics?
-- Edited by James H on Wednesday 10th of February 2010 12:35:40 PM
"Sometimes things that are not true are included in Wikipedia. While at first glance that may appear like a very great problem for Wikipedia, in reality is it not. In fact, it's a good thing." - Wikipedia.
I think the different colour on the tunics is some sort of cuff insignia - I know extremely little about German uniforms though, but it looks like it's stitched to the cuff. Bit curious as to how the Pickelhaube spike covering would stay up and look as it does without the spike underneath
The more I look at this, the less I understand it. What on earth is going on? I can't decide about the cuffs. Where did all those helmets with the nosepiece come from? Has the man on the right got a Tanker's mask round his neck or is it a French gasmask? Maybe they're not even Germans - perhaps Allied troops going through captured German equipment and larking about for the camera. I think the bloke on the left must have found a Pickelhaube spike from somewhere and inserted it.
Very odd.
__________________
"Sometimes things that are not true are included in Wikipedia. While at first glance that may appear like a very great problem for Wikipedia, in reality is it not. In fact, it's a good thing." - Wikipedia.
The noseguard could be seperate, being the earlier Gaede helmet with a stahlhelm worn on top? Although the forward brim of the helmet doesn't seem to be present. I've never seen a stahlhelm with a noseguard before though
Hi James, Re-inactors having a laugh?..... in the states there is "The Society for Creative Anachronisim" or SCRA they freguently have face guards as a general rule for reinactment combat...... that said ive no idea if any of them do WW1...... Just a thought....
you're right, the more you look at it, the more puzzling it is. Why,if they are just showing their breast panzer and helmets, is that guy wearing a gas mask? The cuffs, and I am no expert, must have been a regular thing. On pictures of Hindenburg you see them too, German members can certainly tell more? The Brustpanzer is the model II. 500.000 were made by Krupp, meant to be used stationary by look outs and handed over when these were relieved. It weighted 9.5 kg, was painted and had a felt and canvas lining.
