The German Stahlhelm 1916-1989

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A quick video on the different models of the German Stahlhelm from WWI through WWII and the divided Germany of the Cold War
Here as a summary of the helmets shown in the video:
M18
M35
M40
M42
M40/53
M56
A disclaimer just to make sure:
I show certain emblems that some may find offensive, be advised that they are shown for historical/educational purposes only and I do not condone any political views connected to these emblems. Far from it, my aim is to keep history alive and keep our world from forgetting the past so that something like this will never occur again.

[@user-zx9cf6xb4q]

Nice Pfaff 30 behind you. I have some Singer machines from that era, made in Wittenberg (models 66 and 15-88). All these machines were war trophies, restored and saved from melting down.

[@PotatoDigger]

Thanks! Cool that you also have some interesting old sewing machines. And yeah it's a shame a lot of these just get thrown away..

[@prepperal4677]

Great video. Might I add that the Yugoslav M-59 helmet was a development based on the M-35 family of helmets.

[@PotatoDigger]

Thanks! Yeah indeed, sounds like a good idea. Might get one of those in future, too.

[@howtogetdisowned7478]

I enjoyed this greatly, thank you.

[@Frakfayt]

Regarding the second helmet in dark green, it was not called Feldgrau. Actually, the exact words were "slate grey, slightly smoked" (translated from the German). It was actually a dark green mixed with some dust to give the helmet a textured look and break the reflection of the light. Some helmets were also painted in pure grey, and the Luftwaffe had their helmets painted in a darker blue grey, for the same reason.

[@user-sm1oi3jk9k]

Приветствую Друг! Отличная коллекция!

[@torycsummers7328]

Super kool vid. I love it. Thanks. 💟😎

[@Speed_Star98]

Soon I think I will be purchasing an M34 Stahlhelm. Original paint and liner. As well as an or original swastika decal that hasn't been scraped off.

[@PotatoDigger]

Nice, M34 helmets are pretty cool too, and a lot more affordable than combat helmets.

[@DieErsteNummerEins]

Sehr gutes Video! Ich habe einen m16 Stahlhelm, welcher komischerweise keine Hörner hat. Die Lüftungslöcher sind auch relativ klein, als wären da auch nie Hörner dran gewesen. Weißt du irgendetwas darüber?

[@stuka_bly4t102]

Do you happen to have the stahlhelm lot number book?

[@X360tipscz]

My chinstraps on a m16 keep falling and are loose. Any tips?

[@The_pioneer80]

Congratulations

[@Vectorlover3]

Great video, so glad I found your channel. I'm currently restoring two M35 helmets and I own a BGS M53. One thing that bugs me alot is why oh why did they not appear to make the M53 in a size 68 shell? My research has run a blank on this issue. Any idea? Keep up the good work.

[@PotatoDigger]

Thank you! Good luck on those restorations, what are you planning to restore them into? I can't say for sure why they only made them (to my knowledge) in sizes 64 and 66, I have seen a few BGS repurposed wartime shells that were shell size 68. It may also be down to the fact that a 68 size shell became obsolete with the Innenausstattung 53 as you could most likely easily make it go up to size 61 even in a 64 shell (the liner in my M53 goes up to size 61) Luis

[@Vectorlover3]

Interesting, I had heard, though I don't know if it was true, that the wehrmacht had lots of different size helmets. The reason for this being so that every soldier would look well proportioned in his uniform . As to what I intend to do with mine, I am favouring a DAK colour scheme for one of them. The other, a painted in the field look in feldgrau maybe? I also heard M18's were produced by the czech's under a VZ designation? Shame these things are so expensive...more so in England.

[@PotatoDigger]

@@Vectorlover3 Yes in WWII there were definitely the most sizes of helmets, in WWI shells were produced in sizes 60,62,64,66,68 and in WWII sizes 70,72 and even one size 74 is known to exist and I have seen photos of it. One reason for the many sizes is as you said the proportionality but it is also down to the M31 liner system which was always made for one shell size in increments of 2 head sizes, such as 56/57 for a 64 and so on. This obviously meant more comfort for the wearer as it was more tailored to their head unlike helmet from other factions which usually just had 3-4 shell sizes in total and usually no specifically sized liner (or as for the Americans "one size fits all") Another reason is that for example a size 60 shell would in no way be suitable for someone with head size 61, he couldn't even wear a bare shell on his head like that! If you're going to do a DAK paint scheme (which would look pretty nice if done well) do keep in mind you need to at least paint the inside of the shell with factory paint, or even better the entire helmet so that when you make it look worn the factory paint shows through. And for the other, does that mean you're going for a reissue? If so good choice, I do like the look of field reissued helmets myself, I restored a few this way. I can't say much about VZ produced M18s I think they just repurposed WWI stock though I know there was a producer I think it was "BGB" in Brno/Brünn that definitely made M16 style helmets for the Austro-Hungarians. And indeed especially WWI shells are very expensive hence I only have one M18. Luis

[@F.Fox714]

Are you a friend of Nick Birken from History Secrets?

[@ranxie-ir9yc]

I have a m53 helmet

[@justusminor1589]

Btw cool video 😁😁

[@cobraking1419]

They have been making the helmets for how long?

[@PotatoDigger]

Quite a while I'd say.

[@jackieodaniel4026]

They still make them but not for military use, they are for collectors reenacting movie props and much more.

[@brittakriep2938]

You have forgotten the after wwll Jaucheschöpfer ' model :-))

[@Chris-mn1db]

kennst du einen europäischen shop der mit epic und sof militaria mithalten kann? kein polnischer und keiner aus cz vielelicht belgien?oder hast du freunde die in england bestellen können?bist du bei facebook?

[@PotatoDigger]

Bei SOF habe ich schon ein paar mal bestellt, die sind immer top. Mc4u ist auch ganz gut, die sind aus Holland. Ja aber auf facebook mache ich nicht viel.

[@Chris-mn1db]

@@PotatoDigger bestellst du hks bei epic? oder ohne?

[@PotatoDigger]

@@Chris-mn1db bei epic hab ich selbst bisher nix bestellt

[@Chris-mn1db]

@@PotatoDigger meinte sof

[@PotatoDigger]

@@Chris-mn1db achso, ja vor dem brexit mit, jetzt würde ich da wahrscheinlich eher zögern.

[@garveymcneill138]

Potato Digger knows his shit!!!

[@Chris-mn1db]

Bist du aus deutschland und in einer deutsche wh gruppe`?

[@PotatoDigger]

Ja und nein, ich bin in ner belgischen Gruppe.

[@jlr2191]

Hi

[@justusminor1589]

Your a reenactor can you record some of your re-enactments😁

[@PotatoDigger]

I might do that in future actually :)

[@justusminor1589]

@@PotatoDigger cool looking for to more content😁

[@jackieallison1163]

I can't see anything...

[@howtogetdisowned7478]

I don't have that problem.

[@PotatoDigger]

Sorry about that then. I know the camera(phone) isn't the best. Luis