Advice Please

Lyndon,
I'm not good at giving "worth" but in this case not much. References is where you need to start. Many books available. Many are daunting. For helmets alone I like the Trawnik book in English as it teaches. It is however only a subset of helmets and the printing stinks.

Comparing this helmet to references you would see quickly a few "problems".
 
Joe's right Lyndon. No matter how bad you want one of these things it's best to get some books and do a little reading first. It will save you money and time in the long run.
Tony will kill me for saying this, but even Bowman's books may stop you dropping a clanger on one of these. :thumbleft:
 
Hi Lyndon:

Welcome to the forum and to Ohio. Joe and Mike are giving you terrific advice; however, I believe you were hoping for a bit more feedback on this particular listing.

Someone has attempted (poorly) to create a Hessen (Hessian) officer's helmet from parts. The helmet shell is private purchase quality, but I doubt this was ever worn by an officer. The absence of green and red under visor panels indicate a Diensthelm. The plain spike is Mannschaften (issue quality) and not Hessen. Hessen officer spikes were fluted. The Kokarden are Mannschaften, and the white with red Kokarde is correct for the Hanseatic city state of Bremen (again not Hessen). The chinscale Rossettes appear to be out and out fakes. Hessen officer chinscales were always vaulted (not flat) and the rear spine was always secured by two external domed retainers.

If this helmet were fitted with a Prussian line infantry eagle, the fraud would be less egregious as it might just pass as a One Year Volunteer helmet from Bremen. However, the seller was asked, "...are there only two holes in the shell to attach the front emblem? Would you have a picture of the inside showing these attachments?" His reply, "Yes,two holes-see pics.," left much to be desired as these pictures do not exist. Furthermore, the Hessen lion was usually attached by three retainers, which would, of course, require three holes.

Everyone likes to dump on J. A. Bowman's book, The Pickelhaube, and flawed though it may be, it would steer you clear from a travesty like this.

Are you going to the SOS in Louisville, Kentucky? You should be able to accomplish your collecting goals there.

Chas.
 
Hey Chas, I think Lyndon does not arrive until May (that was the way I read his post) but we could sure fix him up there.
Gus
 
We could get him to bring beer. Fosters works down under I think. Tonight is valentines day and I get some red beer. Beer is good. We can hook you up at SOS. Chas is bringing beer too.
 
the Hessen lion was usually attached by three retainers, which would, of course, require three holes.
Click to expand...

Mine only has two. The pictures of the 115 That was floating around here had 2. Mine are N-S which are quite different.
HessianRear350.jpg
 
Hi Lyndon and everyone,
The seller did send me several good pictures of the inside of the shell that show clearly the extra holes through which a former plate was affixed. I can forward these pictures if you wish. I can only emphasize everything that was written on this hat...
Bruno
 
Hi Joe:

I goofed. I checked my Hessen and it has two holes North South. I also forgot to mention the cruciform base.

Chas. :oops:
 
Thanks for all the replies, im in Miami on the 30th of April and fly out of Chigago on the 29th of May. Im buying now, picking up while im there, that way I can tell the wife that I picked them up at a shop while on holidays, cheap that is. Beer, now no one would drink Fosters in Australia to save their life. [ in fact I think you cant even buy it here ] Im sorry to say it but its almost as bad as Yank beer. I am taking a slab and its Coppers Sparkling Ale. Coopers make one of the best beers, here is the link.

http://www.coopers.com.au/beer.php?id=127&pid=1

Thanks and i will keep looking and asking, also i will see if i can chase up some books
thanks lyndon
 
Hi Lyndon,

To make the ebay listings easier to view, try copying and pasting the web address into your message, then select the message with your mouse and click on the URL button just below the subject line. This will make a hotlink to your listing.

Mike[/url]
 
spikeymikey said:
I think the forum needs a designated beer heading. :drunken:
Click to expand...
Hey Mikey,
Joe is the Beer Meister, we could not call him the beer moderator, cuz when it comes to beer, Joe has no moderation.
And Mike,
I just copy the address on the top of the ebay page (just click on it and it turns blue, then hit Ctrl "c" andgo to the massage and hit "v" and the link should work.
Gus
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top