2018.002.016 [Helmet, Military]

This is a heavy steel Stirnpanzer plate protector, curved to conform with Stahlhelm profile. This item is a solid steel plate that was forged to serve as a heavy-duty guard for a standard-issue Stahlhelm helmet of the German Army. The protector has two hooks built into its single body that attach to the prongs which adorn Stahlhelm-type infantry helmets. Protectors of this sort would have afforded soldiers increased defense against shrapnel, bullets, and artillery blasts. The protector is incredibly heavy, indicating it would have required considerable upper body strength for a soldier to use it in actual combat. It was produced as part of a suit of armor that was experimented for use by gunners and sentries. It was believed that the heavier armor plating would provide these vulnerable troops with increased protection. However, both the Stirnpanzer and the accompanying body armor (dubbed "crab-armor") proved incredibly cumbersome on the battlefield, leading many soldiers to discard them. This content can be used with the following resources: SS.4.25: Technological Change This content can be used to educate students on the evolution of military personnel armor technology during the first half of the twentieth century. The Stirnpanzer was the first experimentation of protective armor in industrial scale warfare, which inspired other advances in protective hardwear for other world militaries. This content can be linked to how advancements in military protective equipment impacted the service of Iowa soldiers in various wartime operations. For any use other than instructional resources, please check with the organization that owns this item for any copyright restrictions.