WWI Stalhelm "Lugs"

[JaimeH]

I have been hearing that the bolts or lugs on the side of m16 helmets are for a deflection plate, I was always led to believe these were for a gas mask attachment that was revised by the m35 what gives?

[DaveL]

The instructions for use issued with the helmets said that the lugs are for the frontal armor plate. (See Casques de Combat, p.87, chapter by German helmet guru Ludwig Baer, or consult his own book The German Helmet.)

[converso]

In the period materials reproduced in Baer's The History of the German Steel Helmet" there is a great photo of the frontal plate in place, held on by the lugs. In addition, the lugs are referred to throughout as "Ventilation lugs" and seem to have had that purpose also.