# WWI German Helmets

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wwi-german-helmets/470438>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [October 31, 2008, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wwi-german-helmets/470438 "2008-10-31T15:45:01Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![chowder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/977dab/32.png) [@chowder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chowder)\
**Post date:** [October 31, 2008, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wwi-german-helmets/470438/1 "2008-10-31T15:45:01Z")

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There are two lugs on these helmets,one either side, that are not on helmets of the same shape as thosed used in WW2.

What was the purpose of these lugs?

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**Author:** ![Throatwarbler\_Mangrove](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8c91f0/32.png) [@Throatwarbler\_Mangrove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Throatwarbler_Mangrove)\
**Post date:** [October 31, 2008, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wwi-german-helmets/470438/2 "2008-10-31T15:50:47Z")

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> **[Stahlhelm](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stahlhelm#Models)**
>
> Stahlhelm (German for "steel helmet") refers to a series of German steel combat helmet designs intended to protect the wearer from common battlefield hazards such as shrapnel.
> The armies of the great powers began to issue steel helmets during World War I as a result of combat experience and experimentation. The German Army began to replace the boiled leather Pickelhaube with the Stahlhelm in 1916. The Stahlhelm's distinctive coal scuttle shape was instantly recognizable and became a common e...

> [@](#):
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> The M1916 design had side-mounted horn-like ventilator lugs which were intended to be support an additional steel brow plate or Stirnpanzer, which only ever saw limited use by snipers, as it was too heavy for general use.[3]

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**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\
**Post date:** [October 31, 2008, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wwi-german-helmets/470438/3 "2008-10-31T15:51:18Z")

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I’m at work, so I can’t link you to an image…“weapons” is a blocked category:rolleyes:. However, the Germans issued an “armor upgrade” for the helmet that fastened partially by hooking over those lugs. Image Google for “WWI German helmet sniper brow” and you’ll see images of what I’m describing.

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**Author:** ![chowder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/977dab/32.png) [@chowder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chowder)\
**Post date:** [October 31, 2008, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wwi-german-helmets/470438/4 "2008-10-31T16:02:07Z")

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Well that’s sorted that thread out