Absurdly Bad Restitch Job ?
- Thread starter bosko
- Start date
Hi Bosko: First it is very common to see this natural coloured thread on the Model 1915 helmets (grey fittings). Theses visors could have been restitched during the war......they salvaged everything so if a helmet was missing a visor or 2 they just stitched one on from another scrap helmet. It could also be a bad restitch job from our modern times but I doubt it. I have actually worked on M15 helmets that had been M95s and the converted to grey fittings. I have seen visors restitched where they went every second hole from the originals ie. bigger stitches.
My explanation for the white in the cracks is that this helmet was used and picked up chalk mud from the trenches. We all know that a good part of the trench systems were dug into chalk seams. I have seen white mud stains on helmets many times. In fact the M95 Wurtt EM helmet I am working on at the moment has a mud stain on one of the liner fingers.
My explanation for the white in the cracks is that this helmet was used and picked up chalk mud from the trenches. We all know that a good part of the trench systems were dug into chalk seams. I have seen white mud stains on helmets many times. In fact the M95 Wurtt EM helmet I am working on at the moment has a mud stain on one of the liner fingers.
One other thing on the field grey M15's Bosko is that they often have natural coloured liners. The M1895s and earlier all have black dyed liners. Dyed on the hair side of the leather (smooth)...the flesh side which is rough is left natural. Modern leather is dyed on both sides which gives away many repro liners and chin straps. When I make a new liner for a helmet, I have to dye the hair side black. The liner also has to be made from the same type of leather as were the originals and tanned in the same way. So, to do it right is not a simple process. Brian