Stahlhelm, Steel Helmet

The Imperial German Army began to replace the traditional leather Pickelhaube (spiked combat helmet) with the Stahlhelm during the First World War in 1916. The term Stahlhelm refers both to a generic steel helmet, and more specifically to the distinctive (and symbolic) German design.

Friedrich Shwerd of the Technical Institute of Hanover. In early 1915, Shwerd had carried out a study of head wounds suffered during trench warfare and submitted a recommendation for steel helmets, shortly after which he was ordered to Berlin. Shwerd then undertook the task of designing and producing a suitable helmet.

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