M16 Polizei double decal transitional steel helmet

Description

Extremely rare WW1 M16 (actually a M17 Austrian made-) steel helmet that was reissued during WW2, in this case for Polizei. Most of these ‘transitional’ helmets we see reissued for Heer (army) troops, finding them in another branche is uncommon, certainly a wartime reissued piece like this. Judging from the paint and liner, I would say this is a mid- to late war reissue ca.1943. The helmet retains both decals, although the swastika decal shows flaking-off as it does not stick well on the field green, sand mixed paint. The helmet is complete with its original installed liner. Please note the installation of the split pins: since M31 liner systems did not always fit well in these WW1 shells, they sometimes needed adjustments, hence they pierced extra holes in the liner band for a better fit of the split pins. The pins itself remain untouched and straight. The leather is supple but a bit dry, as even the pictures can tell. Complete with full length draw string and chin strap. The shell has a 66 marking, the leather is marked 58 (I deem). A very sexy police helmet, one of the rarer variants to find of transitional helmets!