Hessen Model 1860

[b.loree]

Another project I am working on:


A model 1860 which has been retrofitted with M91 posts, high dome with heavy gauge leather and wide brass visor trim.

Unfortunately, missing the two spine brads but over all the helmet is in very good condition. The lowest of these brads goes through the leather and secures the end of the spine. Spike base support disc on the outside of the helmet, why was this done???? My job is to restitch this rear visor.

The liner is in very good condition for its age. We see also, the thick brass visor trim and heavy leather visor, typical of these old beauties! Obviously, we have some ink regimental markings here as well, some 3-4 different ones which are hard to read. This is supposed to be a Train Battalion helme but I see JR116 as well. Once I have removed this visor, I will try and clear up this mystery. There are no extra wappen holes in the helmet. This piece is totally Hessen. To be continued....

 

[Sandmann]

Interesting helmet, I‘m looking forward to see the finished helmet.

 

[Lars13]

Spike base support disc on the outside of the helmet, why was this done????

Hi Brian,
Nice project! In my opinion the support discs end up on the outside after someone takes the helmet apart, and puts it together again incorrectly. Other examples I have seen very often show the "shade" of the disc on the inside of the helmet, typically the leather where the disc used to be is lighter than the surrounding leather.
Regards,
Lars

 

[911car]

Hi Brian.
Nice one. Here is the same model, if you need to compare. It bears the old Hessian Train marking, which was TB25 till 1901, and TB18 thereafter. The front plate is doubtlessly original. It is gilded and did not take the same patina as other fittings. By the way, I would not call it a 1860 model...

 

[pickelhauben]

Nice helmet.
It should be an easy one to restore !

 

[b.loree]

Thank you Bruno and Mathew. So Bruno, what would you call it then? I will gladly change the title.

 

[argonne]

Nice one. Here is the same model, if you need to compare. It bears the old Hessian Train marking, which was TB25 till 1901, and TB18 thereafter. The front plate is doubtlessly original. It is gilded and did not take the same patina as other fittings. By the way, I would not call it a 1860 model...
View attachment 20075

Bruno, can we assume that your helmet has been put together 1903, using a previous neckguard of an old hessian Train-Tschako that was worn until 1903? Because the TB25 stopped to exist 1901, the neckguard of your helmet is still marked with a early TB25 stamp, and the Pickelhaube was first adopted 1903 in the hessian Train ( your helmet ist also dated 1903, obviously the date of birth of your "period reconditioned" helmet).
The train convex chinscales have been later replaced by the leather chinstrap. Your old helmet has very probably served during WWI.
How can we call such a helmet? Maybe "Test tube M95" helmet? Or "Frankenstein M95" helmet?

Because the old german army never has wasted or throwed parts of older headgear away, this is not a derogatory designation!
I also own such a Frankenstein M95 helmet (of the LGR8) , an old M87 helmet whose shell has been cut down and reconditioned as a M95 helmet. Nothing to see from the outside:


But the inside of the M91 side posts shows the old M87 impressions of the hook fixations of chinstrap deep in the leather. As well as the double sewing, because of the cutting down of the shell:







As well as the former holes for a classic line eagle that have been very properly refilled:





Brians helmet seems to be a little bit much higher than yours, Bruno...May be a M71 or M87 shell that has been reconditioned to a M95 without have been cut down...Maybe it´s just the impression of the pict, because the Teller is placed outside of the helmet...It gives to the helmet a higher look...

Philippe

 

[b.loree]

The piece definitely has a high dome shape to the shell. Once I have finished the Wurttemberg M15 I intend to place them side by side so we can see the difference in height. One other fact.....there is no seam of stitches running down the back of the shell which we often see on really old helmets. I must thank Bruno for making me aware of the change in Battalion number for Hessen Train from 25 to 18 . Philippe, I have two helmets in my collection, one Saxe and another Hessen where an older helmet was upgraded with M91 posts. As you say, the Germans never threw anything away that could be refurbished and then reissued. I read a reference book this summer recommended by Nick which describes the scramble for equipment including Pickelhauben which occurred on the German side with the mobilization of so many Reservists. I knew that the Brits and Canadians both had volunteers marching in their civilian clothes because of a uniform shortage but I always believed that Germany was much more organized and equipped. As this was not the case, it would explain how many of these older helmets were put back into service.

 

[ww1czechlegion]

I think there are at least 3-issue markings on the back visor.

Thanks very much Brian for taking on the work to re-stitch this helmet as well, I appreciate it.

Here's a link to a thread I started about this helmet shortly after I acquired it in the fall of 2020:

Fall Harvest of Haubes Part 3, Hessian M71 re-issue to M95 18th Train Battalion

Hello, Here's the 3rd helmet I acquired from the family of a WW1 soldier this fall. Thanks to James for his insight and advice which helped me to acquire this helmet! This one took a bit of work and patience, as the seller backed out on the deal for about a week's time, and fortunately I was...

www.pickelhaubes.com

Thanks again Brian!

Best Wishes,

Alan

 

[b.loree]

I have the rear visor off Alan and I can confirm 3 issue marks..... a small punched TB 18, an ink stamped TB 18 and an ink stamped TB 25.