Original Item: Only One Available. Between 1916 and 1918 the Germans produced three types of helmets. They are known today by collectors as the M16, M18, and M18 cut-out. M16 shells are often called M17s. The M17 designation is actually referring to the liner, not the shell. In 1917 the Germans changed from using a liner band made from leather to steel. The newer design also called for liner pads made from chromed leather instead of vegetable tanned leather, which held up better in the constant moister of the trenches.

It may be worth noting that there are a few slight variations on the models, such as the “duck-bill” produced by Gebrueder Bing, and J. & H. Kerkmann. The Germans never made any distinction between these types of shells. These variations were simply that, variations on the original model.

Extensive redesigns were made for the M1918 model. A new two-piece chin strap was introduced, and was attached directly to the helmet liner rather than the shell. The M1918 Stahlhelm can be distinguished from the M1916, as the M1918 shell lacks the chinstrap rivet on the lower side of the helmet skirt found on earlier models.
 
Certain examples of the M1918 had cutouts in the rim along the sides of the helmet. It has incorrectly been said that these cutouts were to accommodate using headphones while wearing the helmet. These cutouts were actually done to improve hearing and to reduce echo created by the large, flared skirt.

The so called M18-cut out helmet is one of the rarest of German helmets produced in both WWI and WWII. In August of 1918 close to 100,000 of these helmets were produced by the Eisenhuttenwerke factory for field trial. These helmets are highly desired by collections, and unfortunately most on the market today are fakes. If you are considering the purchase of one of these rare helmets there are a few things you should be aware of.

All M18 cut-out helmets are marked ET64. The E.T.6.4. stamp must be in gothic script. If the helmet lacks this stamp or is in any other script, the helmet is not genuine. It is true that sometimes the stamp gets filled in with paint, or if the helmet was ground dug or exposed to lots of moisture the markings can be lost.

This is an example in relic condition with heavy rust and decay. The E.T.6.4. is barely visible, just a ghost of a marking due to the pitting caused by years of rust revealing that this example was almost certainly ground dug. Traces of original paint exist and the helmet is solid in structure, you won't poke a hole though it with your finger due to rust! Overall a very interesting and affordable example of an extremely hard to find genuine Great War M18 Ear Cut Out Helmet.