I have a Garde helmet shell that I'm starting a restoration on soon and I have a couple of questions. No photos at this point, but I don't really need any for the following questions:
First, there are two stamps on the rear visor - Fd.A.R. (field artillery regiment I believe) on one side and K.B.A.G. 1915 on the other side. No other marks at all. Does this indicate a Garde artillery regiment?
Second, the M91 side posts are brass as are the grommets around the holes for the front plate. Is brass acceptable on a 1915 dated helmet? I think the answer is yes but I want other opinions. There are no double-holes or other obvious "doctored" problems that I can see.
Third, if it is an artillery helmet then which rear spine is correct - vented or non-vented? I know most artillery 'haubes' are non-vented but I seem to recall a change toward the end of pickelhaube production that allowed for vents on all issued helmets.
Thanks in advance for your opinions/help.
Richard
First, there are two stamps on the rear visor - Fd.A.R. (field artillery regiment I believe) on one side and K.B.A.G. 1915 on the other side. No other marks at all. Does this indicate a Garde artillery regiment?
Second, the M91 side posts are brass as are the grommets around the holes for the front plate. Is brass acceptable on a 1915 dated helmet? I think the answer is yes but I want other opinions. There are no double-holes or other obvious "doctored" problems that I can see.
Third, if it is an artillery helmet then which rear spine is correct - vented or non-vented? I know most artillery 'haubes' are non-vented but I seem to recall a change toward the end of pickelhaube production that allowed for vents on all issued helmets.
Thanks in advance for your opinions/help.
Richard