Check Out This Beauty

Already up to $2,000 euros
This would be nice to have on the shelf if I had the cash.
Not sure if the partsare blackened from age or painted.

I have been eyeing this one closely as well, I was hoping to get a deal on it and then make a trade for a JR. 94 helmet but unfortunately I do not think that'll be happening haha

I am a bit confused.......the regimental markings don’t match the wappen, JR 68 is Prussian. The white ring on the state kokarde has been repainted. All that sand/dust on the star and shield also makes me suspicious. Just my opinion.

Not to defend the helmet
but
sometimes those regiments were paired with reserve units
I would need the correct reference to confirm if two were possible ?
Also good point about the "aging " look
Steve

b.loree said:

I am a bit confused.......the regimental markings don’t match the wappen, JR 68 is Prussian. The white ring on the state kokarde has been repainted. All that sand/dust on the star and shield also makes me suspicious. Just my opinion.

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Brian, part of the reserve of Sachsen-Altenburg (JR153) was indeed with RJR66, IIIrd battalion and hence, the marking is correct. A reserve cross is missing, which was not uncommon on reserve/Landwehr helmets.

Hi,
Very complicated stuff!!!

Look at the center of the wappen closely You will see that this is not the proper center for the III/RJR66. Oak leaves on the right side and laurel leaves on the left side of center were worn at the JR94 (Sachsen-Weimar-Eisenach). One can also find such centers on helmets of following derivated Reserve and Landwehr units formed through the JR94: I + II/RJR94, III/LJR32 and III/LJR83.

Helmets of the III/RJR66 (likely those of the II + III/LJR36) came from the I + II/JR153 (Sachsen-Altenburg). Their centers show only laurel leaves on both side of their center... Exactly the same for the wappen worn in the I + II + III/JR95 Sachsen-Coburg-Gotha and Sachsen-Meiningen (and following derivated units: I/RJR71, III/RJR82 and I + II/LJR82).

But......We had a great discussion on the french forum, because another perfectly untouched helmet marked 1905 and III/RJR66 with such a "wrong" center, helmet perfectly named and tracked to a Feldwebel who was KIA August 1914 exists too. We must admit that those very small states must have had some lack of "correct" centers at a time for helmets that moved to thier RJR and LJR...








For comparison, the ebay helmet:






Philippe

Philippe ;
Great post !
Many thanks for the information
Steve

Thanks Bruno, that clears things up. Good discussion gentlemen. It will be interesting to see how much this sells for. Philippe....nice Officer kokarde on your helmet, great markings.

b.loree said:

Thanks Bruno, that clears things up. Good discussion gentlemen. It will be interesting to see how much this sells for. Philippe....nice Officer kokarde on your helmet, great markings.

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Brian, this helmet never was mine, unfortunately...It belonged to a good friend of mine.
Philippe

Do you guys think the trim has been blackened or just patina over the years ?

pickelhauben said:

Do you guys think the trim has been blackened or just patina over the years ?

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Patina, as on the rest of all the fittings. Just my two cents that cockades and strap are not belonging to this helmet and have been added later.

Philippe

When I see copper peeking out from behind an applied finish like this it makes me wonder if the plate is "galvano". All that dusty residue would be perfect to hide any mis-match of the plate to the helmet body. I'm suspicious!