Mecklenburg-Strelitz

9

911car

Well-known member
By no means the prettiest of all Pickelhauben, especially when compared with its Western relative from Mecklenburg-Schwerin. Moreover, this one had to face at some point the grease insult and the inner side is darkened. However, the Strelitz is rare (one battalion) and hence sought after. This one is named to grenadier Gaede II. Philippe managed to retrieve soldier Gaede, from Neustrelitz, who was killed in action, in the relevant Verlustliste (I cannot find the picture, unfortunately). The regimental mark, R. 89. is not easy to make out, and another box on the right has been totally obscured by greasing. The helmet is dated 1910.

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Last edited:
Bruno,

Verlustlisten 1. Weltkrieg, page 4555: Gaede II Franz (Herzwolde, Neustrelitz)

des.genealogy.net des.genealogy.net

Franz Gaede II, 5/GR89, KIA near Carlepont between 9 and 25.12.1914.

The history of the GR89 tells us that the French, accompanied by colonial soldiers, attacked the GR89 lines on 21 December 1914, particularly the trenches of the 5th and 6th companies. On 25 December, a second French attack took place (french 42nd Infantry Regiment), during which part of the trenches occupied by Franz Gaede II's 5/89 were taken by the French. Around thirty men from this 5th Company were killed, including Franz Gaede II. His helmet was most likely taken as a trophy.

DNB Bookviewer

portal.dnb.de

peters4.jpg


I know a collector from Metz (Clovis57) who owns the helmet of Offizierstellvertreter Otto Peters from the same company, who was killed during those same days. A second trophy! You can find Otto Peters name on the same VL publication.

peters1.jpg

peters2.jpg

I let Thierry (Clovis) post some more picts of his beauty, if he wants to.

Philippe
 
Thank you to Philippe for allowing me to share my exceptional Strelitz hairstyle here.
89G IIB Bibi 0fStellvertreter.JPG89G IIB Bibi 0K 0tto Peters 0stvttr.GIF89G IIB Bibi- 0fStellvertreter.JPG89G IIB Bibi__ 0fStellvertreter.JPG89GII Bibi~ OfStellvertreter.JPG89GII Bibi_ 0fStellvertreter.JPG89GIIB Bibi Peters 0tto 0ffstellverter.JPG
This helmet is very informative because it teaches us a lot about 0ffizierstellvertreter helmets.
This helmet therefore has a ‘Kammer’ shell, of ‘troop’ quality. The headgear is made of natural, unvarnished black leather, and the visor and neck cover are of troop quality, made of thick leather. This helmet is personalised, but not regulation, and does not bear the B.A. mark. The plate is attached with two threaded studs and square nuts, unlike the troop star with brass bridges and leather corners. The rear spine and peak are of the officer model, the side posts are M15 for officers, and the chin strap is of the troop type M91 with scales, for parades! Note the presence of officer stars and cockades.
The cockades are for M15 officers, but this is a special model with a small enlarged central hole for the two folding tabs of the side post. The cockades are permanent, pinned between the side post and the leather of the shell. The advantage is that they do not fall off when the officer exchanges the ceremonial scaled chin strap for the field (troop) chin strap.
This mix of ‘Kammer troops’ and ‘officers’ can be explained by the fact that the 0ffizierstellvertreter were Unteroffizier-Portepee appointed to the front to replace the lieutenants killed in action in the early months of the war. These ‘promoted’ officers were neither aristocrats nor particularly wealthy, and did not attend officer training school. When they were appointed, there was no question of granting them leave to go shopping in town... and buy a nice officer's helmet in a shop, using their own money.
So the army provided them with a ‘Kammer’ quality field helmet for officers, but with the distinctive attributes of an officer.

Thanks to Philippe for deciphering the name of the owner written in Sütterlin script, namely Otto Peters.





Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
 
I must admit i didn't know Strelitz had a different Wappen.
I never saw one and haven't thought about it either. Very interesting to have not just one but two presented here.

I find it nothing less than extraordinary that both helmets were captured during the same attack with only a few dozen casualties and can now be found together here in this topic. You gotta love this forum. 🥳
 
Yes, the historic Strelitz contingent formed the 2nd Infantry Battalion of GR89 in 1867, and only that. All other units from Mecklenburg were from Schwerin. FAR 60, DR17 and 18.
In GR89, the Strelitz helmet differed from that of Schwerin B.1 and 3. The peak was standard ‘Prussian’ (not fluted and higher), and the Mecklenburg coat of arms was not plated on a sun. ;)
 
CLOVIS 57 said:
Thank you to Philippe for allowing me to share my exceptional Strelitz hairstyle here.
View attachment 69929View attachment 69932View attachment 69930View attachment 69931View attachment 69933View attachment 69934View attachment 69935
This helmet is very informative because it teaches us a lot about 0ffizierstellvertreter helmets.
This helmet therefore has a ‘Kammer’ shell, of ‘troop’ quality. The headgear is made of natural, unvarnished black leather, and the visor and neck cover are of troop quality, made of thick leather. This helmet is personalised, but not regulation, and does not bear the B.A. mark. The plate is attached with two threaded studs and square nuts, unlike the troop star with brass bridges and leather corners. The rear spine and peak are of the officer model, the side posts are M15 for officers, and the chin strap is of the troop type M91 with scales, for parades! Note the presence of officer stars and cockades.
The cockades are for M15 officers, but this is a special model with a small enlarged central hole for the two folding tabs of the side post. The cockades are permanent, pinned between the side post and the leather of the shell. The advantage is that they do not fall off when the officer exchanges the ceremonial scaled chin strap for the field (troop) chin strap.
This mix of ‘Kammer troops’ and ‘officers’ can be explained by the fact that the 0ffizierstellvertreter were Unteroffizier-Portepee appointed to the front to replace the lieutenants killed in action in the early months of the war. These ‘promoted’ officers were neither aristocrats nor particularly wealthy, and did not attend officer training school. When they were appointed, there was no question of granting them leave to go shopping in town... and buy a nice officer's helmet in a shop, using their own money.
So the army provided them with a ‘Kammer’ quality field helmet for officers, but with the distinctive attributes of an officer.

Thanks to Philippe for deciphering the name of the owner written in Sütterlin script, namely Otto Peters.





Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
Click to expand...
Many thanks for these details on a very nice and uncommon (unique?) helmet, Clovis. Any hint as to the history of this Pickelhaube?
 
Exceptional pieces of History in all of these posts . My thanks to everyone who contributed here!
 
argonne said:
Bruno,

Verlustlisten 1. Weltkrieg, page 4555: Gaede II Franz (Herzwolde, Neustrelitz)

des.genealogy.net des.genealogy.net

Franz Gaede II, 5/GR89, KIA near Carlepont between 9 and 25.12.1914.

The history of the GR89 tells us that the French, accompanied by colonial soldiers, attacked the GR89 lines on 21 December 1914, particularly the trenches of the 5th and 6th companies. On 25 December, a second French attack took place (french 42nd Infantry Regiment), during which part of the trenches occupied by Franz Gaede II's 5/89 were taken by the French. Around thirty men from this 5th Company were killed, including Franz Gaede II. His helmet was most likely taken as a trophy.

DNB Bookviewer

portal.dnb.de

View attachment 69913


I know a collector from Metz (Clovis57) who owns the helmet of Offizierstellvertreter Otto Peters from the same company, who was killed during those same days. A second trophy! You can find Otto Peters name on the same VL publication.

View attachment 69911

View attachment 69912

I let Thierry (Clovis) post some more picts of his beauty, if he wants to.

Philippe
Click to expand...

I had no doubt you would retrieve the amazing information on the "Christmas fights" you shared with me earlier, Philippe. You are better organized than I am. Many thanks.
On the photos below, the frontline French trenches and the colonial troops you mentioned. The pictures were taken a few months later, but in the exact same sector. Whoever killed Franz Gaede and Otto Peters may be present in this group.

download.png
 
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