It was manufactured by the metalworking firm Linnemann & Schnetzer (marked as "LS") based in Ahlen, Germany. These helmets were heavily issued to Cold War-era law enforcement and defense forces. Stamped as "LS" alongside the production year and shell size on the interior neck guard. Shaped similarly to the classic WWII German Stahlhelm (M35/M40), but engineered specifically for post-war use. 1960s shells were ventless. They lacked side ventilation holes and liner pin holes to improve structural safety. The 1966 Linnemann & Schnetzer helmet was predominantly issued to Cold War-era West German security forces, serving as a staple piece of equipment for both the Federal Border Guard (Bundesgrenzschutz) and various state standby police units (Bereitschaftspolizei). Beyond its domestic use in West Germany, the manufacturing firm of Linnemann & Schnetzer was a major international contract supplier, producing these steel shells heavily for the Dutch military as the Netherlands M53 troop helmet. Additionally, massive quantities of these 1960s-production West German surplus helmets were eventually exported to South Africa, where they were repurposed for local national security operations and police forces.