The German Imperial Army in the World War - Uniforms and Equipment - Headgear - Steel Helmet

But the most conspicuous change was the introduction of the steel helmet in 1916, which replaced the classic Pickelhaube.

The reason for this innovation was the enormous number of head injuries, for example from shell or stone fragments. According to Jürgen Kraus, head injuries accounted for almost 50% of fatal wounds.

From the summer of 1915 two well-known scientists developed a new helmet type, the surgeon Professor Dr. August Bier and Captain of Artillery Friedrich Schwerd. Initially 400 trial helmets were produced, which passed the first test on 20.11.1915.

In a session at the War Ministry on 23.11.1915 the introduction of the steel helmet was endorsed., the awarding of the first contracts took place from April 1916.

In April the first 1.2 million steel helmets were ordered.

In World War I a total of 7.5 million steel helmets were produced.

Only from February 1918 were the German troops sufficiently equipped with steel helmets and thus able to equip their respective replacements.

The helmet was made of high-quality chrome-nickel steel. and offered sufficient protection against small shell splinters and shrapnel bullets.

In trench warfare, for protection against direct fire from infantry, an additional frontal plate (made of nickel) could be attached.

The number of delivered frontal plates was to be approximately 5% in relation to the delivered steel helmets.

The interior fittings of the steel helmet were a leather ring which was mounted to the helmet body with three rivets.

Three pads were attached to the leather ring.

A cord held three flap-like ends together.

Two rosettes held the chin strap. This became two-part in 1918 and consisted of blackened leather.