Prussian See Battalion Tschako

b.loree

b.loree

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Doug B bought this tschako recently from a European auction. The piece is in excellent condition and is uniquely constructed. Unfortunately, the rear visor has become detached over the years! Naturally the auction house failed to list this problem in the description. 😐 The photos:
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An incredible neusilber wappen! I have never seen one of these in silver before, they are always brass. So what type of SB do we have here??
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The liner is in excellent condition with supple leather. Note the interior cloth lining.
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Unique construction....a cork shell sandwiched between 2 layers of finely stitched cloth! The wappen held on by screw post and square nuts. The piece is obviously "private purchase". I have worked on an issued M15 Garde Tschako previously but there is no comparison to this! No markings other than 14 1/2 marked on the top.
 
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I cleaned out all the stitch holes a couple of days ago and began stitching today in the sun.
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Pinned and ready for the process. The exterior shows some cork particles but these will be cleared away when I am finished.
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A piece of the original thread used when this was made.
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Locating stitch holes from inside the shell is difficult.
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On our way! To be continued....
 
Looks great Brian! As discussed with yourself and Tony, thinking it’s technical troops / Telegraph. Never seen one before with a neusilber wappen like this and the condition and construction looked very appealing. Sadly it arrived with the rear visor being detached which was not mentioned and I couldn’t see any remnants of glue holding it on, yet it showed the rear visor on in the additional photos I was sent so wasn’t too happy with that surprise.

Thankfully you’re able to skillfully repair it to its original state!
 
Stitching again this morning. I reached the half way point on the first pass. Progress is picking up as you develop a rhythm and a feel for where the stitch hole is. I think this is the finest stitching that I have done. :) Fortunately, the helmet is in excellent condition and the stitch line is solid. Back to work!
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A beautiful piece and must be quite rare.

FWIW I would consider that the Neusilber fittings link it to some technical branch. Telegraph troops would be a logical conclusion.
 
Finished the first pass this afternoon but ran out of sunlight. Besides, it is often necessary to take a break from a project. Otherwise, the frustration can grow and you want to throw it against a wall. :) That is when you have to put it down and walk away. Not so with this helmet though, things are going well. I will have this done by Sunday. :D👍
 
b.loree said:
Finished the first pass this afternoon but ran out of sunlight. Besides, it is often necessary to take a break from a project. Otherwise, the frustration can grow and you want to throw it against a wall. :) That is when you have to put it down and walk away. Not so with this helmet though, things are going well. I will have this done by Sunday. :D👍
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Please take a break I don’t want my Tschako smashed against a wall!!! 🤣
 
No fear Doug, your Baby is a challenge but it is in such great condition that I am enjoying working on it.!! :) In fact, the rarity makes it a privilege! I know that you have some awesome helmets in your collection but this one seems to be so unique. As yet no one has specifically identified it. We need someone like Sandy to provide us with the documents that specify/state that an SB had it's own communication troops with neusilber fittings on their tschakos.
James.... that unfortunate event happened 20 years ago, you need to put that trauma behind you Buddy! :DBesides...I fixed it!
To the members....I have never thrown a helmet but sometimes when the piece has problems after 100 years of abuse and your frustration rises, the best thing is to put it down and take a break. On other projects, you need to look at it, leave it and think about it...pick it up again after a couple of days....figure out in your mind what has to be done. Once that process is finished, then you start the restoration.
 
As promised I finished this restitch today in nice bright sunny conditions.
IMG_4914.jpegIt really helped that the visor was in excellent condition like the rest of the tschako.
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Side profile and as always the tip of the visor is double stitched to the shell.
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Naturally, I could not resist removing the wappen and taking a peek! :) Nickel grommets! On all other neusilber helmets that I have worked on, the grommets were always brass. Doug, I will hand this off to the courier on Monday and email you.
 
Excellent work again Brian! This tschako is just like it was, when being issued! A first for me too, a Seebattallion shako in neusilber.
Fine workmanship, a trade long gone, but not with Brian at the wheel/needles! :) 👍
 
b.loree said:
As promised I finished this restitch today in nice bright sunny conditions.
View attachment 75604It really helped that the visor was in excellent condition like the rest of the tschako.
View attachment 75605
Side profile and as always the tip of the visor is double stitched to the shell.
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Naturally, I could not resist removing the wappen and taking a peek! :) Nickel grommets! On all other neusilber helmets that I have worked on, the grommets were always brass. Doug, I will hand this off to the courier on Monday and email you.
Click to expand...

As usual Brian your repair work is first class! Am glad you got to see this rare bird in hand as well. Am excited to see this as it was in the photos!
 
To my great regret, I must say that you would be better off coming to live on the European side; then they would give you all sorts of things, because your work is top-notch, you know. great work Brian 👍
 
Very nice work. On the other hand, you use a seamstress needle... too sharp. It pricks instead of running into the hole. Use a saddler-saddler-leatherworker needle, with a rounded tip, and you’ll see that it gets better. 😇
 
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