Named M16 Stahlhelm by Hermann Weissenburger & Co., Stuttgart-Canstatt

[AndyM35]

One that came to me this week via eBay, this size 66 M16 manufactured by Hermann Weissenburger & Co., Stuttgart-Canstatt (who only made size 66 shells), appears to have been relatively lightly used and has no major damage other then light rust bleed and scratches. Herman Weissenburger only made shells in size 66 with the letter ‘W’ being the manufacturer code, with a heat lot code that looks like R for Stahlwerk Röchling,Volkingen followed by the numbers 858, this example is finished in a somewhat shiny feldgrau paint that is leaning more towards a shade of olive rather than the more common grey/green observed by a lot of manufacturers. I’ve noticed that this colour seems to be somewhat synonymous with this particular manufacturer. I’ve also noticed a tendency for these shells not be too heavily stamped with the second numeral 6 often stamped more lightly, at least anecdotally.

The liner band is in nice condition and looks to be of early production which aligns nicely with the shiner paint, with the one missing pad made up for by the remaining two being named. There are also a couple of attempts at a 1916 BA stamp on the liner band. To the rear is the faint remains of some writing in pencil which is now mostly gone. With one vent lugged filled up with some mud, the names, the paint and manufacturer, this one had enough going for it for me to want to add it to my collection, and in doing so hopefully save another feldgrau example from being ruined by the camo fakers.

[Pauls1970]

A lovely find Andy, so iconic these helmets !
Cheers
Paul

[Mordecai]

What a beauty! I really love the more olive tinge Graugrün!
Thanks for sharing!

[BlackCat1982]

Very nice rescue Andy, not been able to decipher the inked name yet. Not sure if we are looking at one or two original owners names or not. But a real piece of history for sure. Congratulations.

[AndyM35]

Very nice rescue Andy, not been able to decipher the inked name yet. Not sure if we are looking at one or two original owners names or not. But a real piece of history for sure. Congratulations.

Thanks BlackCat! I’m going to do some comparisons using a website with Sutterlin letter examples. I’ll post up my guesses

[Willmore]

Hi Andy.

The name looks like Schnitzerl or Schnitzler.

Kind regards,

Will.

[AndyM35]

Hi Andy.

The name looks like Schnitzerl or Schnitzler.

Kind regards,

Will.

Thanks Will! The pencil writing on the back looks like it might start with an Sütterlin ‘a’ perhaps?

[MAP]

That's a beauty Andy. Another winner. Love the paint color

[AndyM35]

That's a beauty Andy. Another winner. Love the paint color

Thanks Michael. This colour does appear to be a bit more often encountered with this particular manufacturer. Having said that, I don’t think I have any German WW1 steel helmets that are exactly the same shade of green..

[AndyB]

I am same opinion about sutterlin name Schnitzler could be there.