World War I Helmet | Types, History & Key Differences

Steel combat helmets became standard in World War I, with four primary types: the U.S. M1917, British Mk. I, German Stahlhelm, and French Adrian.

Before 1915, most soldiers went into battle wearing cloth caps. The staggering number of shrapnel head wounds changed warfare overnight, and the World War I Helmet became standard equipment for millions. Four primary designs defined the era: the U.S. M1917 Doughboy helmet, the British Mk. I Brodie, the German Stahlhelm, and the French Adrian. Each reflected different battlefield priorities and manufacturing realities.

The Four Primary Designs

U.S. M1917 (Doughboy Helmet). A direct derivative of the British Mk. I, the M1917 was stamped from a single piece of manganese steel at 0.036-inch thickness. By November 1918, American factories had produced 2.7 million units. It also saw early WWII service at Pearl Harbor and the Philippines before the M1 replaced it.

British Mk. I (Brodie Helmet). John Leopold Brodie designed this stamped-steel helmet in 1915. It weighed roughly 2.2 pounds and measured 11 inches long by 9.5 inches wide. British and Australian forces used it from 1916 through the end of the war, and some U.S. troops received it before American production ramped up.

German Stahlhelm (M16/M17/M18). Introduced in 1916 to replace the Pickelhaube, the Stahlhelm’s flared skirt provided substantially better side and neck protection than the Brodie design. Germany produced about 8.5 million across its three WWI variants. The design was so effective that it remained the standard German helmet through WWII.

French Adrian (Model 1915). The first modern steel helmet issued en masse, the Adrian protected millions of French troops. Its shallow dome with a central crest and visor made it instantly recognizable. Belgium, Italy, and Russia also adopted it, and some U.S. troops—including the 93rd Division—wore it before M1917 supplies arrived.

M1917 vs. British Mk. I: Key Differences

Though the M1917 copied the Brodie’s basic shape, the two helmets differed in noticeable ways. The British Mk. I used an apple-green paint with sand mixed in, applied with visible brush strokes. The U.S. version got a smoother olive drab finish. The liner also differed: the Mk. I used leather, while the M1917 used a leather-and-canvas suspension system. Both had leather chinstraps with buckles.

Lasting Influence of WWI Helmets

The Brodie design directly shaped the U.S. M1 helmet introduced in 1941, which served American forces for nearly four decades. The Brodie helmet lineage continued in British service into the 1980s. The Stahlhelm’s distinctive profile influenced post-WWII helmet designs in multiple countries, while the French Adrian became the most internationally adopted helmet of the war.

For collectors and history enthusiasts interested in these iconic designs, our roundup of the best WWI helmet reproductions and originals covers the top pieces available today.

FAQs

Why was the German Stahlhelm shaped differently?

The flared skirt was designed specifically to protect the sides and back of the head from shrapnel and debris, areas the Brodie helmet left exposed. This made the Stahlhelm the most protective combat helmet of World War I.

Did American soldiers use any other helmet in WWI?

Some U.S. troops—including ambulance drivers and the 93rd Division—received the French Adrian helmet before enough M1917 helmets were produced. A few experimental models from Ford Motor Company and Hale & Kilburn were tested but never adopted.

Which WWI helmet design lasted the longest?

The German Stahlhelm, with updates, served from 1916 through the end of World War II in 1945. The Brodie lineage continued in British service into the 1980s, and the French Adrian remained in use by some nations for decades after the war ended.