A Hessian helmet, made by an Alsatian in the Reichsland.

CLOVIS 57

CLOVIS 57

Well-known member
Here's my latest discovery, a Hessian spiked helmet, model 1915.
The manufacturer is neither Maury nor Martin Mayer in Mainz, but Julius Jansen - Strassburg!!! i.e. a Reichsland manufacturer. (1916).
The construction features a standard Prussian spike, but with the holes and eyelets for the Hessian lion attachments.
The marking is clearly Hessian, RBA18 on one side, and Landsturm Infanterie AK XVIII on the other.

P1010055.JPGP1010067.JPGP1010063.JPGP1010064.JPG
A period photo showing an identical helmet.
Hessois prussien avec Lion.GIF
 

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Thank you for your compliments.
He joined his brother, model 95/14 (from mobilisation), also marked RBA18.

Hessois M95 -14 RBA ex JR81.JPG
Hessois M95-14 RBA Instdbestg.JPG

Note the usual Teller “tinplate” before black paint, typical of Hessian helmets.
Hessois M95-14 RBA.JPG
This one, on the other hand, is probably an M95 from Hesse Electorale (Cassel), 80 and 81R, or from Nassau 87 and 88R, as the holes for the Prussian eagle have been plugged with a leather patch, and a basane patch has been glued to the inside. Recycling mobilisation.
 
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coert65 said:
Excellent Hesse M15 Thierry! (y)
I also have one marked RBA18, but mine has the kreuzblatt, but with a spike on it just like your helmet.
Click to expand...
Thank you very much.
The only Landwehrkreuz lion I have is on a rare Hessian Landwehr Shako.
voir Shako.JPGLandwehr Hessois 1914.jpg
When I received it, as I'd never seen one before, I searched the net and found just one photo to explain it. Landwehr of Hesse Grand-Duke.
Hesse Lwr Oeillets Hesse.JPGHesse Lwr Oeillets Hessois.jpg
The eyelets are much wider and lower than on the Shakos of other units or Länder.
 
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Thank you Philippe,
Yes, I'm very happy about this discovery, which is interesting for me because it's not the ‘standard’. This helmet is personal: Vettel.
I know that traceability is difficult for the Landsturm, ... but you never know. ;)
 
CLOVIS 57 said:
This helmet is personal: Vettel.
I know that traceability is difficult for the Landsturm, ... but you never know. ;)
Click to expand...

Not a lot of guys with this name in the Verlustlisten, only 7. And 6 of them came from Hessen, one from Württemberg.
Yes, you won´t track this guy in the VL because as you know, the Landsturm units were only involved far behind the front line, to guard the railway knots and prison camps.
Philippe
 
A fine helmet Thierry!
I have one too, only it's an M15. Also with the correct spikebase, but with a Prussian spike.
Hessen M15 1.jpg
Hessen M15 2.jpg
Hessen M15 3.jpg
Hessen M15 4.jpg
Hessen M15 5.jpg
This one has been here in my collection for a long time, where it will stay too. Was looking for a correct fluted spike for it, but gave up.
 
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