The Grabenpanzer, what do we know?

[Adler]

The Grabenpanzer

[Adler]

Introduction
A while ago I started started a topic about the subject in another forum; i.m.o. it was nessecary to bring everything I could find together to have a complete overview. I see the following as an addition to the work of others and myself and certainly do not want to disrespect any of the other writers.
The German steel body armour is one of the most sought after items that was used in WW1. Almost every felgrau collector is looking for one or has found one when he was lucky.
I know this overview will never be complete, but additions are allways more then welcome.


Models
Generally we speak about 2 different models, the first model is the plain one, the second has the 2 hooks and rifle support. It seems 3 other variations were made, but very little is known about them and they are seldom encountered.
Mod. 1:
The first model was introduced in march 1916 (another source says october 1916). The breastplate is connected with two shoulderplates bij 3 rivets each. The two intermediate plates and the bottom plate are secured by two straps. Between every moving plate were two felt pads (connected with the straps) to reduce the noise of the metal plates while the person who was wearing the Grabenpanzer moved around. The Grabenpanzer was mostly worn by static troops, such as MG units, sharpshooters, …
Mod. 1b:
This is a hybride model. It has all the features of mod. 1, but two slits were added in the breast plate to make it possible to strap the Grabenpanzer secure to the body. This reduced the noise and it was easier to move while wearing the Grabenpanzer.
Mod. 1c:
This is also a hybride model. It’s the same as Mod. 1b, but with two support hooks added. These hooks were meant to support the belt with ammo pouches or other heavy equipement.
Mod 1d: This is actually a mod 1 with a cut out at the right shoulder for easier firing a rifle. Some sources say this was an artisanal alteration, others say it was factory produced.
Mod 2: This model has all of the features: The slits for the strap, the two support hooks, the rifle support bracket.


Manufacturers
Maybe this list is not complete, so feel free to add other manufacturers or additional information.
ET: Eisenhüttenwerk Thale, Thale / Harz
BF: F.C. Bellinger, Fulda
Bell L: R. Lindenberg A.G., Essen Remscheid / Hasten
3 intertwined rings: Krupp, Essen
Crowned B: Unknown
RV: Unknown
◊ : Unknown
Mostly the markings can be found at the bottom of the breast plate and on top of the other plates. Sometimes on the shoulder plates. Normally, when all parts are numbered, they all bear the same number. This is not always the case, which indicates that they were sometimes put together like this in the factory. Some Grabenpanzers have only one stamp, at the breast plate or one of the shoulder plates. It’s also possible there are no manufacturers stamps at all.
The ET Grabenpanzers normally have the size stamped next to ET.
AK stamps (in ink) are found at some specimens, but in most cases they are faded or completely vanished.


Technical
The German army ordered 500.000 Grabenpanzers, but it’s not certain they were all delivered. They were produced from March 1916 till late 1918.
The Grabenpanzer came in two sizes: N° 1 (largest) and N° 2 (smallest). These numbers were stamped with a large ink stamp or they were painted at the inside of the breast plate. Some sources say there is also a N° 3 size, but I’ve never seen one live or in pictures…
The weight of a Grabenpanzer is approx. 10 kg. This is depending on the manufacturer and the size.
The grabenpanzer was forged out of steel with the following componants:
Ph 0.033
Si 0.055
Cr 0.230
C 0.370
Mn 0.540
Ni 1.780
Tests have been done and show other measurements. See this link: http://www.archive.org/stream/helmet...e/144/mode/1up
According the Brinell hardness test method (Brinell scale - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia) the steel of the Grabenpanzer has a resistance of approx. 150 kg/mm².


Color
About the color of the Grabenpanzer there are discussions going on. Some sources say that Grabenpanzers can have a black or even a grey factory applied color. In my opinion this is partially true, because this is a base coating (anti rust), without the end coating. The standard color af a Grabenpanzer should always be the dark olive color as the M 16 and M17 steel helmets have. It’s maybe possible some Grabenpanzers left the factory in their base coating, meaning that they should be painted at the front (camouflage?). This is not officially confirmed, but I’ve seen Grabenpanzers with black under the dark olive, that indicates the previous to me. Other opinions are always welcome of course, but actually we need hard evidence for this.


Dimensions
1) Cheast plate: 335 x 490 mm
2) Shoulder plates: 110 x 220 mm
3) Upper middle plate: 150 x 490 mm
4) Lower middle plate: 150 x 340 mm
5) Curved bottom plate: 180 x 250 mm
6) Thickness of the plates: 3,25 mm
7) Overlapping of the plates: 25 mm
All measures can be different, depending on size and manufacturer.


Interesting links and sources

Some pictures I used came from the internet a long time ago. I can’t find the original sources anymore. If someone sees a picture made by him and has a problem with it, please contact me. Again, I don’t want to make advantage of someones work, it’s just to show some important pictures for reference.
A lot of information came from the following links:
German Helmet Walhalla

German Helmet Walhalla

Internet Archive: Free Download: Helmets and body armor in modern warfare

http://lagrandeguerre.cultureforum.n...t=sappenpanzer

http://www.archive.org/stream/helmet...ge/n0/mode/1up

[Adler]

Grabenpanzer mod.1, size 1. Produced by RV

[Adler]

Grabenpanzer, mod.1, size 2. Produced by Krupp

[Dimas]

Thank you for useful and interesting information

[Adler]

Grabenpanzer mod.2, size 2. Produced by ET
This one has different numbers on every part, including the shoulderplates... It has also the AK mark as we encounter in several steel helmets M16, M17 and M18...

[Adler]

Grabenpanzer mod.1b
This pic comes from a german site: http://feldgrau.pytalhost.com/vbulle......nzer&page=2

[Adler]

Grabenpanzer mod.1c

[Adler]

Grabenpanzer mod.1d
This pic comes from a german site: http://feldgrau.pytalhost.com/vbulle......nzer&page=2

[AudaAbuTayi]

great collection! i like the Grabenpanzer.

do you have altough the Stirnschild which was mounted on the front side of the
helmet?

then your "german knight" would be perfect. :-)

br
Auda