Recent content by Mart Vear

Hi Tony, What a lovely example. I have just purchased a Mecklemburg Officer's helmet in mint condition which I'll post on the forum. I reckon that only less than 3% of Officer's helmets are in this condition today. My hypothisis is that these were sadly purchased by owners who were killed...

Gradually working though the restoration of a late war (erzatz) GDC helmet, I'm curious about the construction of the chinscales. The helmet was an e-bay purchase about 6 months ago. Nickel plated steel shell, gilded brass adler, erzatz wappen (thin pressing with worn-out die pressing...

I've got 3 examples of these. The pair on my NCO private purchase 74th Regiment (Waterloo Wappen) are similar, but originally with silver-plated stamped brass rings with exactly the same diagonal hatching. The other example - a single e-bay purchase - is parkerised. I have read several...

Hi Ron, Just had a look at my 1913 OR's Saxon Reservist's helmet. The 8 pointed star is brass with a "stay-bright" finish; reservist's cross in nickel and the Saxon coat of Arms in nickel. All other fittings are brass. Regards, Martin

Thanks for the info Tony - have managed (after much searching) to find the right size & pitch tap & die to make some new wappen fixings from 1/8th inch brass bar. The thread is 1/8th - 26 "Brass" BSCY. Have found an excellent supplier in the UK. Tracey Tools Ltd. 0044 0803 328603 e-mail...

Hi all, Does anyone know what the correct tread size & type is for wappens and spike retaining bolts? I am trying to replicate some missing parts - the tread is about 26 teeth per inch and approx 1/8th inch (3mm) diameter. 4BA is close, but too finer thread as the originals had a course thread...

Hi Ron, The star, as the adler are plated in a semi frosted silver finish (highlights only lightly polished). On examination of the original plating (what was left of it) there was no evidence of copper bonding plating on the base metal brass. So the restoration is exactly as manufactured...

Hi Brian, Having had a closer look - the only silver wash (or sliver /nickel) plating is, or appears evident to the adler crown and the wappen body (not the centre wappen). The nickel plate to the shell appears to have been applied direct to the steel shell - no primary plating is evident...

Hi Brian, The Adler appears to be made of very thin brass; soldered joints with some form of brass plating or wash that matches what is left of the parts of the chinscales. There is a lot of dirt & oxidisation on this helmet, so it will take a few days to make some conclusions. Initial...

Latest E-bay find ! A very late War GDC in need of much tlc over the next few months. I will post a more detailed report after detailed analysis, but here is a brief summary: Nickel-plated steel body; brass Adler; brass chinscales; silver-plated wappen that is very poorly stamped and very...

As purchased

As purchased