1914 eisenblech pickelhaube

[Spiker]

Better known as a kit helmet .
The most remarkable thing about this model is the way they bolted the wappen on to the helmet,
using one single screw right true the heart of the eagle.
The steel spike is enfolded into the body .
The iron helmet and brass wappen was spraypainted in feldgrau and also the brass chinstrap parts are in the same color.
Inside are the stenciled markings : R v d H (R.Von der Heyden - Berlin) ,size 55 and 1914
It is unclear to me what the N.E. means, maybe the type of helmet ? This firm also produced helmets without feldgrau color ; black with brass fittings and spike.
The rivet that closes the good quality leather lining is the same on all the Von der Heyden helmets.
The chinstrap is riveted .
This helmet is untouched . IMO , the Von der Heydens made the best looking kit helmets.


On the periodic picture with young soldier Wagner, you can clearly see the center screw.

 

[stuka f]

Very nice!
|<

 

[Khukri]

Ed,
A fine helmet it is !
Great markings.
Rgds,
Francis

 

[joerookery]

This is great. :bravo: that is an especially good find on the picture! Can I use the marking? I have not seen one this complete very nice. And you are correct that bolt is sensational!

 

[badener]

Nice addition to your collection Spiker!

 

[RON]

Another pristine condition wartime helmet; congrats Ed! =D> :bravo: :thumb up: =P~

 

[J.LeBrasseur]

Top notch, and great pictures!

James

 

[argonne]

Pretty cool!!! :thumb up:
Philippe

 

[Spiker]

Thank you gentlemen, for the fine response. :salute:

... Can I use the marking? ...

Sure Joe, happy to help complete your super interesting list of manufacturers. :thumb up:

 

[poniatowski]

Very nice indeed!

I think the N.E. stands for 'New England'... since the US wasn't in the war yet, many Americans enjoyed assembling these helmets and sending them back to Germany, especially in the Boston area. :^o :^o :^o :^o


Really, I don't know either. I'm sure a viable answer will present itself. Neu-something Ersatz?


Ron

 

[b.loree]

Excellent: I have one of their black and brass kit helmets. Funny they did not use the screw method to fasten the wappen on those pieces.

 

[Adler]

That's a very fine example of this type of ersatz helmet! I really like it and the condition is also superb of course.
Also very typical for this helmet are the brown linerstring and the chromed press stud at the back of the liner.
This helmet laks only one thing... the fragile felt lining between the leather liner and the steel shell... But that's not so often present anymore because they are really very thin and easy to be thorn...
Here's a picture of one...

Adler

 

[Spiker]

This helmet laks only one thing... the fragile felt lining between the leather liner and the steel shell... But that's not so often present anymore because they are really very thin and easy to be thorn...
Here's a picture of one...

Indeed, most metal helmets had a felt insulation patch, not to cook the brain by heavy sunshine I guess, it’s very rare to find one still inside the helmet. I have seen a helmet like this with a 1914 newspaper inside instead, so even during its use these were sometimes lost.
They are a sponge for humidity dough ,a helmet with the felt still inside could suffer from some rust.

 

[joerookery]

most metal helmets had a felt insulation patch, not to cook the brain by heavy sunshine I guess, it’s very rare to find one still inside the helmet. I have seen a helmet like this with a 1914 newspaper inside instea

My understanding which could be wrong is that this was not a heat protection but rather a cushioning for metal helmets.

 

[Spiker]

most metal helmets had a felt insulation patch, not to cook the brain by heavy sunshine I guess, it’s very rare to find one still inside the helmet. I have seen a helmet like this with a 1914 newspaper inside instea

My understanding which could be wrong is that this was not a heat protection but rather a cushioning for metal helmets.

If the liner string is well adjusted, would the head still be able to reach the helmet body?

 

[Westfront]

Very nice helmet :bravo: .

 

[edwin]

Lovely find and I am sure its a great addition to your collection!

Regards,

Edwin

 

[b.loree]

The black version from my collection, made by the same company with all the same characteristics. Mine obviously does have the complete felt skull cap. One part of the dome snap fastener on the liner is missing but the "female" half is still present. One difference.....the positioning of the gold company markings. The size is 58 cm.





This wappen is held on by the typical kit helme single loop and bamboo stick method. Adler, does your helmet have a rear spine? You can see the nut and washer (inside pic) which fastens mine to the shell. I know the nut is not square...but everything on this helme is totally original and that nut is tight to the screw post. A note to new collectors: check out the Reichs kokarde, it is V notched which is again, typical of these kit helmets. Two other points of interest, no vent slide on the rear spine and a very thin brass used for the wappen. I would surmise that there is no ventilation slide on the spine because of the felt skull cap in the inside of the helme. In my opinion, the felt could serve 2 purposes: some cushioning and but more importantly some insulation from the heat of the sun. My speculation anyway.

 

[Adler]

Adler, does your helmet have a rear spine?

No rear spine...

Adler

 

[ebeeby]

Fabulous helms, all!