WW1 Imperial German Model 1916 Early Blotch Camouflage Helmet

This is an untouched M16 helmet in pre July 1918, non-geometric, blotch, pattern.

On July 7, 1918, the Imperial Army decreed the following geometric camouflage pattern:

Chief of the General Staff of the Field Army II. No. 91 366

7 July 1918

Through a purposeful, variegated surface paint on cannons, mortars, machine guns, steel helmets, etc., these devices may be much more easily hidden from view than before.

The authorized trials have produced the following results:

1. Steel helmets:

A painted surface with one color (e.g. green or light brown) or with small splotches of a variety of colors is superior to a standard single color helmet, although it still allows the recognition of the characteristic form and silhouette.

In this regard, a three-colored surface which has had the borders blended, simulating a shadow effect is not recognizable beyond a distance of 60 meters.

Particulars regarding a useful surface:

Dull colors – the helmet must not shine. Sprinkling the still-damp oil paint with fine sand stops the surface from glistening in the sun.

The choice of colors is to be purposely changed according to the time of year. One of the three colors must match the basic color found in the region of fighting.

Suitable at this time: green, yellow ochre, rustbrown

Separation of the surface of the helmet into equal-sized portions, consisting of large, sharp-cornered patches.

Support – On the front side of the helmet, no more than four colored fields must be visible. Light and dark colors are to be placed next to each other.

The colored segments are to be sharply separated from each other by a finger-wide black stripe.

Necessary coloring materials for 1000 helmets: 5 kilograms each of ochre, green and brown; 2 n my kilograms of black.

It therefore stands to reason this helmet was captured prior to this order of July 1918.

According to the vendor, his family found this helmet in the attic of a home his family moved into in 1950 in Chicago. He was a young child then. He has had it in his possession ever since.

The liner is present with only one pad detached.