2018.002.017 [Helmet, Military]

This is a German Stahlhelm helmet, nickel-steel alloy, dark brown coloration. This helmet features a slightly different interior leather cushioning system than the other Stahlhelm in the collection. The neck straps and leather cushions are all intact, with only some cracking on the leather of the neck strap due to age. The exterior of the helmet features a worn stamp adhered to the surface, as well as a cloth patch label which reads, "H.A. Allen - Brig. Gen. U.S. Army - HQ 56 Inf. Brig. - Officers Mail - Mr. H.S. Reed - Cedar Rapids, Iowa - This helmet shipped by permission of Brig. Gen. H.A. Allen - [illegible]." A similar patch on the interior surface of the helmet reads, "A.S. Reed, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, U.S.A." These are postage stamps that were attached to the helmet by its original collector, Brigadier General H.A. Allen of the 56th United States Infantry Regiment. He collected this helmet during his foreign serve in World War I and shipped this helmet oversees using the military mail system. A painted label on the inside surface reads, "Panther 8/." The meaning of this lettering is unknown. Helmets of this style were mass produced for use in the German armed forces during the war, making them incredibly common pieces of history from that period. The Stahlhelm was efficient and reliable enough to form the basis of German helmet technology for decades to come. This content can be used with the following resources: SS.4.25: Technological Change This content can be used to educate students on the advancements that were made to military protective equipment during the first half of the twentieth century and how those advancements influenced the lives of Iowan servicemen in warfare. For any uses other than instructional resource, please check with the organization that owns this item for any copyright restrictions.