Alan I did the M15 all in one sitting on Saturday. It was a beautiful sunny warm day, it's a small helmet and in like new condition so I just got into it.
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A couple of pics of this little (size 53 cm) M15:
Both visors were completely separated from the shell...only one split brad is removed, thus freeing up the spine and visor for removal.
The typical "like new" condition of what we collectors here in N America call a War Bond helmet....never issued.
The helmet is dated 1915 and we see here that they were still using the M95 style brass grommets. I would presume that despite 3 more years of warfare, this helmet was too small even for use at the time. Front visor restitched.
The Saxe OYV/private purchase artillery helmet.
Both visors completely separated from the shell.
The liner condition tells us that "RH" (owners initials) used some sort of hair oil treatment. The initials are written in pencil inside the shell. There is also a partial ink manufacture/retail store stamp......Arno Rudorf Konig George....Strasse?? No. 92. We have no idea if Arno was a manufactureer or simply had a store front where he sold military accoutrements. Unlike most private purchase pieces, this has no size number written in grease pencil inside the shell.
Remember, Pillage first THEN Burn ...
