Stahlhelm 15/16 battle damage...opinion please

[U-21]

Hello everyone, today I found this Stahlhelm (model I think 15 or 16) in full conditions (missing the leather strap) still with his coloring inside and outside, marked ET66.
The helmet is battle demage, but I ask you opinions and informations.
Thank you all in advance.
Regards
Uwe

[U-21]

kkkkk

[U-21]

jjjj

[U-21]

hhhh

[U-21]

ggg

[Chip M]

Your helmet is a model 1916.

[Wood]

More likely pick axe damage.
Regards,
Pete

http://photosofwar.net/16250/a-man-p...pickaxe-c-1919

[U-21]

Maybe ... the damage with the ax that you see in the photos, they give a smaller and circular.
Anyway, thank you all for your opinions.
Regards
Uwe

More likely pick axe damage.
Regards,
Pete

http://photosofwar.net/16250/a-man-p...pickaxe-c-1919

[pzrwest]

Was the guy rendering helmets un-usable for wear?

[luftwaffenkopf]

maybe he hated this particular M16 more than the others

i'm thankful i don't see any square-dips and only one cutout in that pile

[C. Roelens]

Hello Uwe,

It looks like a battle damaged M16 to me. It's unlikely the Soldier was wearing it at the time of damage. I'm surprised at the amount of original feldgrau paint inside and out, and, the original M16 leather liner system is still in place.

Chuck

[U-21]

Many many thanks Chuck!

Hello Uwe,

It looks like a battle damaged M16 to me. It's unlikely the Soldier was wearing it at the time of damage. I'm surprised at the amount of original feldgrau paint inside and out, and, the original M16 leather liner system is still in place.

Chuck

[Chip M]

If you look at the photo of the helmet destruction, all you see is the punched hole with no further damage. Also, I would think if such a hole were punched in a helmet the turned back metal would be visible on the inside. There is no evidence of that with this helmet. Many times, what is called battle damage, is from helmets lost on the battlefield that are hit by shrapnel or other flying debris from artillery bombardments. This helmet seems too clean to fall into that category, so it's anybody's guess how this damaged happened.

Chip