Search results

This canteen is one of the "last-ditch" versions produced. Due to shortages of pretty much everything by late in the war, papercloth has now been used as a substitute for both cloth and the leather straps. Metal press studs have been replaced with a black tie cord. The steel bottle is coated...

German Trinkbecher; 1914 aluminum and 1915 (Bing) tin plated steel drinking cups.

French canteens; 1 litre and 2 litre versions with tin plated cups.

I wanted to share my canteen collection which consists of mostly German Feldflaschen and 2 French mle 1877 bidons. The German bottles are either the versions with the M15 or M17 harness straps with the exception of one medic Labelflasche, which I believe is a 1915 model. The canteen covers...

Larmo, it's a shame that you don't have them any more. I would have loved to see other examples. The Great Western Show sounds like it was an incredible event. Thanks for sharing your memories. Hans

Thanks Larmo, that's a remarkable story. Do you by any chance still have any of these canisters? If so please post some pictures. Hans

No maker/size markings are to be found on the interior flange, only the "62" size stamp on the helmet's exterior. The smelting lot # is in its usual place on the interior dome.

Size 62 M18 helmet, maker unknown, on which the size stamp was mistakenly placed on the outside flange during manufacturing. This is the only helmet that I've seen so far with this odd feature. The helmet has survived with both halves of the chinstrap intact as well as the complete liner...

Details of the mask showing an extra strap attached to the forehead area. There is a five-pointed star marking on the upper left of the mask that I have only seen on training masks, and I believe this indicated that the mask was no longer deemed safe to use in the field.

M15 Bandmaske (2nd model Gummimaske) which was turned into a training mask either due to it being either unsafe or outdated. The mask, filter and canister are marked in areas with red paint to indicate their new role. The word "Uebungsmaske", literally "training mask" is painted onto the...

Thank you all very much for your comments. Cliff, I hope to see you guys at the summer Etobicoke show. Hans

James, here are a few more shots of the helmets side by side which hopefully show the differences better. Again, both helmets are E.T. 62, and if they were both M16 production models by this maker, they would look virtually identical. The square dip is on the left hand side in each picture...

Comparison of the production model 1916, left, and the square dip. Both helmets are E.T. size 62. Hans Square dip transition detail Production model transition detail

The liner is a pre-production variant. The leather band is slightly wider than the production model 1916 band, and the shape and construction of the pads, including the cushion pouches on the reverse, is noticeably different. The liner band has two extra split rivet holes. I've seen only 2 or...

Here is an example of the very first German model 1916 steel helmet (E.T. 62). Known as the square dip to collectors, these helmets feature a sharp transition from the neck guard up toward the visor. Eisenhuettenwerke Thale (E.T.) was the only ironworks involved with the production of these...

Superb helmet. In contrast to the white chrome tanned sheepskin liner pads, these tan pads rarely survive in such good condition on the metal liner bands. It goes without saying that it's rare to find an M18 with a complete chinstrap let alone one in this condition. Hans

Comparison between the ersatz and regular GM17 canisters. Hans

Here are two examples of late war German ersatz gas mask canisters. They are made of a thin plywood with the exception of the lids, latches, strap brackets and rim reinforcements. One set is complete with the long papercloth carrying strap and GM17 Lederschutzmaske. The bottom of the...

E.T. 66 M16 complete with the original liner and chinstrap. The paint has nicely retained its matt finish and shows little wear. A faint 66 ink acceptance/size stamp is visible on the rear inside flange. Hans

Mark, I was glad to see you and Cliff there and chat with you, if only briefly. It's been a while. The turnout was incredible. Hans