What was the purpose of the Pickelhaube helmet?

It was designed to deflect sword blows aimed at the head. The spikes could be modified depending on soldiers’ battlefield duties and outfitted with plumes on formal occasions. The helmets could be easily modified to sport symbols of rank and affiliation.

What was the Brodie helmet and why was it introduced?

The original and very distinctive steel helmet adopted by Great Britain was designed and patented in 1915 by its inventor, John L Brodie. After many experiments, Brodie came to the conclusion that a relatively simple form of helmet would offer reasonable protection, be serviceable and cheap to produce in large numbers.

Who wore Sallet helmets?

The sallet (also called celata, salade and schaller) was a combat helmet that replaced the bascinet in Italy, western and northern Europe and Hungary during the mid-15th century. In Italy, France and England the armet helmet was also popular, but in Germany the sallet became almost universal.

What was the ww1 German helmet?

THE GERMAN ARMY’S spiked helmet or pickelhaube (is arguably one of the most enduring symbols of the First World War. The polished black leather helmet with ornamental metal spike on top did very little to protect the wearer from bullets or shell fragments, but it was instantly recognizable by friend and foe alike.

Why is it called a Brodie helmet?

In September 1915 a design patented by John Brodie was selected as the British Army’s standard head protection. The design meant the helmet could be cut from a single sheet of steel, and then pressed to form a ‘soup bowl’ shape. The first one million Brodie helmets were distributed in the summer of 1916.

When were helmets first used in WW1?

1916
After significant testing, the Imperial German Army fielded the Stahlhelm, or steel helmet, at first in limited numbers to stormtroopers at the Battle of Verdun in February 1916. It proved successful and was in general issue on the Western Front by the end of the year and on the Eastern Front by mid-1917.

When was the Sallet helmet invented?

This sallet was a new type probably invented by Lorenz Helmschmid for Emperor Maximilian I (1459–1519) around the time he became head of the Holy Roman Empire in 1493.