My Ersatz collection

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Up close shots of its signature lines. I have read 2 reasons on how these were created. The first was these were made from being carved out by a spinning lathe machine, hence sometimes them being called “spun steel” ersatz. The other was from the dyes that pressed them out of the sheet steel.
 
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The front and rear split pins that, along with the side posts, hold the liner to the steel shell. The pins seem to have been made from brass, with the rear split prongs having suffered from some corrosion.
 
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Some of the markings I’ve found on the liner, including a name, the size marking, and although not clear on the last pic, a potential maker mark on one of the tongue that stitches the liner together. It might be from the company C.Henke of Witten, although a few other manufacturers have made these types of pickelhauben
 
Back here again with one I’d never thought I find. At first glance, this appears to be a regular M95, but like a previous ersatz example, this one has the visors and cap made into one piece. In addition, there’s also a leather trim that lines the bottom of the pickelhaube from where the front brass trim ends.

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Some up close shots of the wire mesh lining. The covering is black felt, where due to a combination of how thin the felt is and wear from age, you can see the cross hatching pattern
 
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Some up close shots of the chinstrap. It looks nearly identical to the example in Feldzug. The strap itself is still very flexible and strong even after over 100 years. It doesn’t seem to be made of leather and could be made of another felt like material. Like in the book, this chinstrap is also riveted
 
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There does seem to be signs that this pickelhaube was tampered with by a previous owner. There’s no support plate for the spike base and one of the brass pins is missing from the base. Also, there is a string or cord that’s in one of the retaining loops for the wappen. The cord has stiffened into its current form that makes it impossible to remove. Notice the lug eyelets for the wappen are in two pieces.
 
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One final note on this unique piece is a crease in the felt that runs from the front to back along the wearer’s right side. It seems the felt didn’t set quite perfectly on the wiring but as this wouldn’t have been noticeable, was left as is. Most likely crafted by people that weren’t use to making military stuff.
 
Congratulations that is one rare variant.

Thanks for taking the time to post such clear pictures to share. (y)

MFG John Josef
 
Congratulations Andy!
Congratulations Andy ! (y)
This is the first time I've seen a spiked helmet made of sieve wire wrapped in cardboard. Unique, or nearly so.
Here is an A.K.O which prescribes the obligation to provide Ersatz for the Landsturm at the beginning of 1915.AKO Pickel Ersatz pour Lst mars15.jpg
 
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Great find! I was a bidder on this helmet but underestimated its value. I now wish I had bid more. I did not know that they used wire screen as a skeleton for the papier-mâché. Very kool ersatz. Congratulations!
 
Rkinkade said:
Great find! I was a bidder on this helmet but underestimated its value. I now wish I had bid more. I did not know that they used wire screen as a skeleton for the papier-mâché. Very kool ersatz. Congratulations!
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Thank you! Sorry this one got away from you, but I just couldn’t let this slip away.
 
I'm curious why they didn't make more one piece leather helmets like the felt ones are. Great piece, its definitely a keeper.
Gabe
 
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Coming on the heels of my last ersatz post, here my recent addition from AoK. It’s a rolled edge felt model, in amazing condition. Rolled edges tend to be very sturdy due to the sown edge around the circumference. The design negates the need for a brass visor trim or rear spines.
 
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