A very rare Versuchshelm M1905/06

Adler

Adler

New member
Here’s one of my latest purchases. After a search of something like 10 years, this super rare Pickelhaube found it’s way to my collection.
Within just a few seconds I couldn’t help hearing in my head this song of Emerson, Lake & Palmer… “what a lucky man he was”…

This experimental helmet is the Model 1905/06 Preußische Versuchshelm. This particular helmet was used by Fusilier Regt. Nr. 73 and has the bandeau with “Peninsula Waterloo” inscription.
Basicly its a leather M1895 pickelhaube with a feldgrau felt covering on the helmet shell. This felt covering looks much “looser” and more supple than we are used to see on other felt helmets. When the liner is folded ouside, it becomes visible that the felt is stitched between the liner and the helmet shell.
The leather of the shell wasn’t lacquerd, but has a rough surface. Both visors remain black lacquered leather. The liner looks just like a standard one for M95 pickelhauben.

The M1905/06 was distributed to several different units and could have silver or gold metal parts, depending on the unit. It seemed to be an unpopular helmet because it couldn’t be polished for parades and in 1906 the helmet was withdrawn from service.
In 1914 these helmets were taken out of stock and re-issued because the demand for helmets was suddenly very high because of the mobilisation and the Germans used everything possible to equip their soldiers.

Adler













 
Great piece. I really like this model, which is often mistaken for an "ersatz" helmet, which it was not at all (it was probably more expensive to produce than a regular M95)
Bruno
 
Very nice, amazingly rare indeed! Hmmm....ultra rare helme with rare bandeau wappen, you truly are a lucky man.
 
Wonderful helmet! And just to show you, Karel, that no good deed goes unpunished – here is another conundrum.

B. With Chin Straps and two Kokarden for Other Ranks

1. With white (nickel silver) fittings
for the pioneer battalions from Prussia, Baden and Württemberg
for the pioneer battalion 10 (hannover)
for bicyclists (experimental helmet)
Click to expand...

This is a translated part of page 6 of the Wunderlich catalog. The bad news is that it does not have a date on it. Certainly prewar but I don't know how far prewar. it clearly lists and experimental helmet for bicyclists. Anyone ever seen one, heard of one, or have any idea? Is this the same kind of helmet? If so why would they list bicyclists?
 
Thank you for your nice comments gentlemen!

Joe, I'm not sure what you mean... Do you think this is a cyclists helmet?

Adler
 
No I don't think this is a bicycle helmet. I don't know what a bicycle helmet is. But clearly in the catalog there is an experimental one. Ever seen one!
 
Can anybody comment on the thinking behind this experiment? Was it aimed at improving appearance or increasing practicality? I can't really see any practical benefits, but I may well be missing something

Patrick
 
Here is the same model, with a more common eagle plate. What is particular on this Pickelhaube is that the chinstrap leather is dyed olive green, matching the colour of the felt. And I have good reasons to believe that the chinstrap is original to this helmet...
Bruno



 
chinstrap said:
Can anybody comment on the thinking behind this experiment? Was it aimed at improving appearance or increasing practicality? I can't really see any practical benefits, but I may well be missing something

Patrick
Click to expand...

Good question Patrick. Appearance improvement is probably the answer. All I could find is "better match with the grau/grun uniform", although I do not know about the chronologic correlation between these "Versuchshelme" (1905/1906) and 07/10 emergence, not being much versed in uniforms. Adler mentioned the wish to get rid of the shiny black regular M95, which makes plenty of sense. All in all, probably a tentative evolution toward more efficient camouflage...
 
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