WWII German Transitional Helmet

A great WWI vet that had been reissued for service in World War Two. Transitional helmets are among the most historically interesting pieces in any German helmet collection — they bridge two world wars, carrying the physical evidence of both conflicts on the same shell.

Germany reissued large numbers of WWI-era M16 and M17 helmets for second-line and home defense duties during WWII, often repainting them in the standard Wehrmacht field grey and adding WW2-era decals. The result is a helmet that started life in one war and ended in another — a literal transitional piece.

Identifying a genuine transitional requires knowledge of both WWI and WWII helmet construction details. This example is a confirmed reissue, with the characteristic shell profile of a WWI-era helmet wearing WWII-period finish and markings.