Reichsluftschutzbund - M18 Stahlhelm - First One Posted

[AlecH]

Thanks everyone for their help and posts on this. To clear a point up, the main reason I posted the helmet was really to find out why the two distinct helmet decals from this organization. I thought possibly one a early version, the other a later one, or one I favour, the membership went up to 15 million - mostly part-timers, I assume there must have been a number of permanent staff to orgainize things, so perhaps the distinction lies here, after all badges, daggers, passbooks, use the design on the helmet at the top of the thread, perhaps full-time members were issued with this design to set them apart from the others. A third reason could be, the organization was made up of many branches, perhaps these type were for specialist sections i.e. firefighters. a possiblity ?
Back to the helmet in question - Oradour I broadly agree with what you say, but it is a Austrian M18 Helmet. Eric thanks for your help with the pictures. I wonder, still wonder about the paint and decal. Jim here's another close-up picture of the decal its still not the best, as Eric points out its different from yours, I've trawled through internet and only found a couple of this type of helmet, pictures were not good enough to make a opinion.
Regards

[oradour]

Oradour I broadly agree with what you say, but it is a Austrian M18 Helmet.

Alec, no such thing as an "Austrian M18" so your helmet is a German M18....the Austro-Hungarian helmet was made in 1917, in 1916 they used German M16's or the Berndorfer....(there is a M17 Hungarian,very rare, different liner attachment than M16/17/18).....but all had chinstrap bails rivited directly to the helmet skirt, higher up than a M16 rivets. Your helmets liner is post war (WW1) not period WW1. They also remade the M18 in the 1920's, yours could even be one of those, are there any mm in the helmet ? in the usual WW1 poitions ?
Prost ! Steve.

[AlecH]

Ok steve, I'll send you a private message, I don't really want to develop a thread within a thread so to speak, but answering your question there are no makers marks anywhere.
Regards