WW1 Stahlhelm with rounded rivets?

[Nozo410]

Hey Nozo,

Wow, I never knew the Finns used WWI helmets for that long. It would be cool to see one in person. Also, is your WWII refurbished helmet like the M40/55? It would be great to see!

Thanks again, Nozo. I learned a lot about the Finns, because of you.

Hi Moneyz,

the Finns used lot of Helmets but the most present were German M16 - 18, Austro-Hungarian M17, Hungarian M38, Swedish M37 and Finnish made M40 that are basically Finnish produced Swedish M37, but they also used some small amounts of Czechoslovak VZ32, Italian M33, Swedish M26 and not to forget the Finnish and Russian M17 Solberg. I don't really know when exactly most of the German Style Helmets got Post WW1 refurbished but there is the I believe early Post WW2 refurbishment where they used a WW1 style 3 Pad Liner and drilled additional holes for new Chin Strap Hardware and stability, usually Green and Grey Paint. The later Post WW2 refurbishments have the same Liner and Paint as the West German made Finnish M55. I'm planing on doing a own Post about these Helmets.

Best regards
Nozo

[Moneyz01]

Hey Andy,

It seems that thousands were painted for the battle. I wonder where most of them are now. It's incredible that the letter from General Staff Ludendorff still exists after all these years. Those Stahlhelms have seen a lot, more than all of us! Very cool! Also, where do you buy your Stahlhelms? I rarely see more than 21 for sale each year, and at most, there are usually about 7.

Thanks again, Andy.

[Moneyz01]

Hey Wolf,

Wait, does that mean the Reichswehr changed the rivets on some Stahlhelms? Sorry, I'm just a little confused; this topic just keeps getting deeper and deeper...

Thanks, Wolf

[Moneyz01]

Hey Nozo,

It’s insane that the Finns used so many different countries' helmets. They were like the recyclers of helmets! Also, did the Finns not have the machinery to make helmets, or was it cheaper for them to buy them?

Thanks again, Nozo

[Wolf]

Hey Moneyz,

that was my theory, as I've seen some Reichswehr helmets with rivets like that. But I now think that they are Austrian rivets from World War I, as the Austrians used exactly those rivets at that time. But I'm still not entirely sure about it, as my M18 ECO (ET64) also has rivets like that, but I haven't yet found any clue as to how Austrian rivets got onto a helmet of this type. This puzzle has been bothering me for a few years now. I would be really happy to find the solution to this puzzle, so I think it's great that someone else has noticed these rivets, which seem to mostly go unnoticed.

Best regards
Wolf

[Nozo410]

Hello Wolf,

This Round Type of rievet was from what I know only used on the Austro-hungarian Chin Strap Hardwear and not to keep the Liner in place, I saw a lot of VZ20 get sold as Austro-hungarian M17. There are Paints and Shades on Czechoslovak Helmets that look very similar if not even identical to some Paints and Shades used by Austro-hungary. I have over 10 Czechoslovak Helmets and I sometimes compare them to Books of WW1 Helmets and other example Online, but to be completely sure when I get my Hands on a WW1 configuration Austro-hungarian Helmet I will definitely make some comparisons. I'm currently looking for more books and sources where I can learn more about these Helmets, the books I have found are either out of Print or in Italian.

Best regards
Nozo