Novice helmet question

**Bluehawk** · 09-27-2009, 03:13 PM

For years I've wanted to ask someone...

On German infantry helmets of (I believe) WW1 and WW2, you sometimes see on either side at approx. just above ear level, a sort of cylindrical "knob", which does not occur on all similarly designed helmets.

What was the purpose of that knob?

Having the answer, I will then retreat back into my ignorance of German militaria.

**Espenlaub Militaria** · 09-27-2009 03:13 PM

We also buy and trade your items and full collections!

**Adrian Stevenson** · 09-27-2009, 08:12 PM

Hi, this was an air vent. It was used on the M1916 helmet. Some of these saw limited use in WW2.

It also served as a mounting point for the armoured shield which could be fitted to the helmet for sniper use in WW1 only.

Cheers, Ade.

**jock auld** · 09-27-2009, 08:15 PM

Bluehawk

Further to Ades comment the smaller the helmet the larger the studs as the shield was only made in one size, so a German pal said, sounds fair enough?

Jock

**Bluehawk** · 09-27-2009, 08:50 PM

Whew... at long last, I now know what the heck those were for.

You cannot imagine for how long I have had that on my mind.

Thanks!

**Bluehawk** · 09-27-2009, 09:02 PM

Here is a model of the fellows in their M1916s and a replica of one

**Adrian Stevenson** · 09-27-2009, 09:04 PM

The air vent was sometimes unpopular with the troops. It could create a whistling sound in the ears due to the wind. As a result the men would occasionaly block the vents with paper or mud.

Cheers, Ade.

**Bluehawk** · 09-27-2009, 09:17 PM

by Adrian Stevenson

The air vent was sometimes unpopular with the troops. It could create a whistling sound in the ears due to the wind. As a result the men would occasionaly block the vents with paper or mud.

Cheers, Ade.

Having been a motorcyclist 26 years, I can well imagine that...

I suppose, too, that in severe low temperatures those vents would want to be blocked as well.