This Prussian wappen looks to be original in my opinion. The fact that there is no solder or loops on the back is very unusual. The hole in the chest could be for a reservist cross.

I went to a Show today and picked these up. I understand the smaller of the 2 is the typical Infantry Flag Bearer's sleeve patch. The other larger piece with red flags is a bit of a mystery and I would really appreciate some information on it. The pictures

I see 4 pictures of ladies mit hauben.

The diary entry for this information was made on Monday Dec 20, 1915. You know much more about these helmets than I do Peter, does this indicate an issuing of the Mk1?

There has been a fair bit of discussion as to how the German stahlhelme was introduced into the trenches early on. Here is a brief account of how it was done in the CEF. This excerpt is from one of the best original survivor memoirs ever written by a member of the CEF. "The Journal of Private Fraser...

Talked to Logan who talked to Joel our tech support. Problem has been solved.

Using Laine's book, I can confirm that John is correct.....Grenadier-Regt. zu Pferde Freiherr von Derfflinger (Neumarkisches) Nr 3. This is a very odd title for a Dragoner Regt but obviously, has a Historical explanation . Laine shows Neusilber fittings and Grenadier Wappen with contrasting brass sc...

I share the number 2 experience. I tried to upload pics recently, using the forum but got a yellow triangle symbol and no button to click on in order to get them into my post. I will contact tech support. "Work"....?? I vaguely remember such a word but after 4 years of glorious retirement it seems t...

My apologies John, my "3 parts" was relegated to a description of the column and top disc only. As you describe, there are other leather disc parts associated with the actual harrbusch construction. As I stated, I was rushed today in taking pictures due to rain but I will post a top shot with the sc...

Excellent helmets!! Remember Col. Joe is the keeper of our list of Regimental markings.

I have a neusilber Gardist helme in my collection which shows the remains of grey paint between the rays of the Garde star. Everything else has been returned to the original silver.

Geoff....as has been said, made in India and up for auction all over Ebay as we speak. They have scuffed and dirtied this one up in order to make it look old and original. Please make a post here on the forum with pictures or a link to any helmet you are thinking of buying and we will gladly help yo...

Thomas, this is one of the easier haube lessons then, good to hear you did not lose money. There are some good parts on this helmet. One of our main purposes here is to provide new collectors with information before they "Buy". There are many fakes out there and we do not want members to get burned.

Congrats Pete! Thanks for the History lesson, I had never heard of this Regt.

Some pictures of my JR119 private purchase helmet, from the 1880's that was purchased off Ebay years ago. The Regt has silver buttons on their tunics and silver helmet fittings with contrasting brass chin scales. Consequently, the trichter is neusilber. https://photos.smugmug.com/My-Pickelhaube-Coll...

Certain Regiments in the Imperial Army, were given the right to wear horse hair parade plumes. Recently I had to do some solder repairs to the OR's parade trichter which came with James' Garde Dragoner SOS helmet. Before sending it back after restoration, I took some pictures as I don't believe we h...

An example of the fireman's "comb" that was put on this helmet after the war: https://photos.smugmug.com/Kokarden/i-Rxq888H/0/4980ff58/L/IMG_6212-L.jpg https://photos.smugmug.com/Kokarden/i-s7FSbVM/0/a47f4928/L/IMG_6211-L.jpg You will note that the depression seen in the top of the shell, matches th...

The large cross on the wappen indicates Prussian Landwehr not reservist. The spike base brads are repros because the prongs are too long and shiny. The front visor trim does look to be M15 steel. The liner is also a model 1915 style as it is undyed , a natural leather colour. The older style of chin...

A great start to your pickelhaube collection Thomas, congratulations. Watch out...one haube usually leads to more! Regarding this Bavarian it is a mid to late war helmet due to the combination of zinc and brass fittings. Looking at the rear spine I would guess that it is zinc too (colour) but the go...

Welcome Thomas, it is great to have you with us!

The Ebay picture does show an Austrian. The scalloped front pockets and cap are Austrian in design. Dennis, I use Hagerty Silver Foam, a soft toothbrush and water.

Congrats Amy that is an awesome set with fantastic markings. Col. Joe we need to get these into our list of Regt Markings. I would say that your uberzug and helmet are far more rare than any AK helmet but just my opinion.

Ok, obviously we have been spammed yet again, by some person out there whose pathetic reason for breathing oxygen is to cause problems for other humans on this planet. In saying that, I am sure that they have read this before. Consequently, we must rely upon our tech service to solve the problem. It...

Thanks to all for their kind comments. I wondered about the visor shown in the photo as well, nice to have other members confirm that this is not a Dragoner. I still wish that we could come up with some information on Johan Weber.

Congratulations Ron, now you get to choose exactly what you want to do! No more regimen, no more bells controlling your life. Retirement is great

I agree with Bruno.....that is the meaning which I have used for 30 years. The officer/private purchase uberzug marked DRP is the most common helmet cover found in this hobby.

Condolences from the Great White North.

Beautiful helmets and nothing better than a pretty woman wearing a Pickelhaube!

Excellent helmets Amy congrats! Ron, I have worked on an officer helmet that had an aluminum version of those extended arms which do reach down to the rim of the shell. The arms are on all 4 sides of the helmet.

Thanks T, been busy here and was not aware that the idiot was back.

It does look huge, you are right Mat but the size marking is 57 cm. If it was a "58" I could wear it . I think that the "hugeness" comes from the Dragoner design with that cruciform spike base which requires a large flat crown on the helmet shell. Thanks to all for their kind comments!

Yes there is a small patch of missing shellac on the shell, I debated whether to ask James if he wanted it filled and decided to leave it and not get into it. If you filled in this area, you would have to lightly sand the whole shell with 000 steel wool and then polish the shell with several coats o...

I put Humpty Dumpty back together again today, so here are photos of the helmet as it is now: https://photos.smugmug.com/Completed-Restorations/i-qKpPXQf/0/d741f46a/L/IMG_6197-L.jpg https://photos.smugmug.com/Completed-Restorations/i-s8SR5n9/0/57a4e174/L/IMG_6198-L.jpg https://photos.smugmug.com/Com...

I just can't seem to master this on site posting of pictures, it is still a pain in the ass, so back to SmugMug where there is absolutely no trouble. https://photos.smugmug.com/Completed-Restorations/i-grXWSBm/0/22c1bd3a/L/IMG_6182-L.jpg A close up during the first pass, you can see that every other...

A series of photos updating this post showing work which has been done. A good shot of how the visor is pinned into place, all stitch holes both in visor and shell have been cleaned out. You can see how the lines made by the rear spine line up correctly. The original stiching of this helmet also hel...

Very nice and in exceptional beautiful condition. Never been worn, no signs of skin oil on the liner, right off the shelf!! Fantastic!

Any information on Johan Weber would be much appreciated.

All of these came from one email source which has now been banned from the site. It boggles the mind why anyone would bother to do this. Obviously, the spam is going to be removed.

Very,very nice addition to your collection. Congratulations!

I just became aware of this and will get it dealt with.

Very interesting James....amazing that those boxes and envelopes have lasted this long.

My Bambus filz helme has all brass fittings including a Baden wappen. I have a Hessen M15 with all grey fittings but brass M91 posts. I think that if we have examples from other companies with a mixture of parts then finding a Bambus with the same characteristic should not be surprising. So in answe...

That is quite a collection, congratulations! Thanks for posting.

Yes, Hessen. Welcome to the forum.

My guess as has already been mentioned, a device for holding sheets of note paper, a desk top piece. Remember, Post it Notes have not been invented yet.

Ontario has had a brutal non spring as well, 4 days of freezing rain, sleet and snow. The melt has started finally today.

Hmmm ..you are dating yourself with this post sir ! The young ones here will not have heard of or seen this film.

I do not believe that any sort of trichter and parade plume were worn 1842- 1857. If you look at the M42 the helmet it is very tall and egg shaped. It looks like an egg cut in half with big visors stitched on. I think that if you take this into account plus the height of the helmet any sort of parad...

A last couple of points...the red and green linings on the inside of the helmet visors are also officer private purchase characteristics. Second, in the picture he is wearing a cloth cover on his helmet called an “uberzug”. This cover was worn to cover up the shiny brass helmet fittings. Last, he is...

A bit of information on the helmet itself: It is a private purchase Prussian infantry officer style helmet. Your ancestor bought this helmet himself, it was not issued to him by the government. It is infantry due to the flat chin scales, mounted troops have curved scales. It has the officer silk and...