An extremely rare Hessian Landsturm Shako

CLOVIS 57

Well-known member
I was offered a Shako earlier this year. In composite, its Bavarian plate was not suitable, and 2 holes had been drilled for the reception. When we put it down, we could observe the presence of 2 eyelets, whose position (wide and low) could only correspond to one front plate: the Lion of Hessian.
The particular position of the eyelets can also be observed on the Hessian helmets M95/14 or M15 with a "Prussian" point, (round base) supporting the Hessian lion. (see the last 2 pictures).
But as I did not know Shako Hessois... (no JB, or other Flieger etc...) I did some research in my archives.
I finally found a picture of the Hessisches Landsturm Infanterie Battalion "Friedberg", wearing such a Shako ... then a picture of a Hessian Shako found in a battle site excavation in France.

I still have to find a Feldzeichen...red and white...

Since then, it's in the shop window, with a rare front plate with a Hessian lion, but of Landwehr, whose fixings are perfectly adapted to the 2 eyelets.
Hesse Landwehr Shako.JPGHesse Lwr Oeillets Hessois.jpgHesse Landwehr.jpg
In fact, the Hessian Landsturm Shako, and the Landwehr spiked helmets should all have been equipped with the Lion with the Landwehrkreuz. But as these regiments were only planned in the mobilization plan, so in theory, at mobilization, there were not enough Landwehr plates available. Therefore, many Reserve, Landwehr or Landsturm regiments were equipped with the line plate.

Hesse Shako fouille Hartman.jpgLandwehr Hessois 1914.jpgHesse lwr Shako typ Prusse ¨M94.JPGHesse Lwr Shako Hessois.JPGHesse Lwr Shako coiffe Uffz.JPGHesse Landwehr Shako-.JPG
 

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Hello,
This morning, at the military fair, I met an old collector who had an unknown Feldzeichen. It had been stored in a box for 40 or 50 years. And when he saw my Hessian Shako... he understood. So he offered it to me this morning... Given the extreme rarity of this Shako, I would never have hoped.
Hesse Fzeichen  VieiArmand 25.JPG
Hesse Feldzeichen-.JPG

Here it is now, complete. Very happy. ✌️

Hesse Lwr Fdz à VieiArmand 25.JPG




And then I was able to identify the unit that wore this Shako:
Landsturm-Infanterie-Bataillon Friedberg (XVIII-10)
Hesse Landsturm Inf-Bat Friedberg.jpg

Indeed, Litewska, old M95 cartridge belts, Gewehr Mauser 1871, Gewehr Mauser 88 "Kommission"...
 
Last edited:
Hello,
This morning, at the military fair, I met an old collector who had an unknown Feldzeichen. It had been stored in a box for 40 or 50 years. And when he saw my Hessian Shako... he understood. So he offered it to me this morning... Given the extreme rarity of this Shako, I would never have hoped.
View attachment 62656
View attachment 62657

Here it is now, complete. Very happy. ✌️

View attachment 62658




And then I was able to identify the unit that wore this Shako:
Landsturm-Infanterie-Bataillon Friedberg (XVIII-10)
View attachment 62659

Indeed, Litewska, old M95 cartridge belts, Gewehr Mauser 1871, Gewehr Mauser 88 "Kommission"...
Its such a good feeling to complete something like that. Congrats!

Gabe
 
I once looked for years for a genuine Württemberg Feldzeichen to complete my tschapka/ ulanka set, and indeed a real sense of victory when finding one, and a hessian is even far more difficult, so I congrats, what a find and what an upgrade for your shako!!!! ( of cause I envy you a little bit, same for the Württemberg mountain troops shako showed on this forum forum last week)
 

I've always been told that the Landsturm were not engaged at the front, on the front line. Concerning the Sieger and Friedberg Battalions, there are still traces of their presence on the Vosges front line.


Hesse Lst Alsace Friedberg VIII-10.GIF

Mémoire et patrimoine militaire du Val d'Argent

Military Memory and Heritage of the Val d'Argent
December 1, 2024 ·
Winter cleaning for the mosaic of the Landsturm Infanterie Battalion Friedberg in Le Haicot, maintenance and flower arrangement of the memorial of Lieutenants Sternberg and Boudet, and finally, a convivial lunch at the Belle Vue restaurant at the Col de Ste Marie to round off a very pleasant day, while we look forward to seeing you at the Freiburg Christmas market next Sunday. Such is the life of an association in our valley, between work and friendship!
Hesse Landsturm Liepvre.jpg
 

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