German WWI M1916 Camouflage Steel Helmet Shell Lampshade , Siemens & Halske
This item is listed for historical interest only. It was listed on our site previously but has been sold and is no longer available for purchase.
Sold for: $495.00

Original era manufacture. Standard pattern M1916 steel helmet as worn by German soldiers during the Great War. This example displays, albeit faintly, the letters S over H (Siemens & Halske) and size marked 60, on the inside of the left side skirt.  Original camouflage paint finish as shown, however I believe this was not done by a German. I feel this was done immediately postwar by a Doughboy while he was converting the helmet into a lampshade on a trench art lamp. All three of the original liner rivets remain, which match the background color of the helmet. The interior of the helmet has been over painted in a green color with a faded circular area in the crown, and a bubbled oval on the right side with drip marks running down the interior of the helmet. This leads me to believe that this helmet did indeed serve a useful service as a shade for a trench-art lamp. With the glare of the light bulb causing fading and the resulting heat to leave it's mark on the interior. No cracks in the steel, great vintage patina to the shell.