Baden M15 Crusher!

[b.loree]

This little fellow, size 54cm has taken a lot of abuse over the years. The "before photos":

Excellent detail on this M15 wappen! Note as well, that the patina on all the M15 fittings matches in colour which is a good sign.

Now we can see the problems, things that have to be fixed. The spike has a real tilt to it because of the caved in top. Note as well how the shell has shrunken away from the rear spine. In many cases, the soldered spine brad pops off from the pressure of leather shrinkage. This one seems to be still "hanging on"! We also can see some additional dents in the shell. To be continued...

 

[Kaiser Wilhelm II]

I like it, I am excited to see the end result.

 

[b.loree]

More photos:

The front visor is loose and needs a restitch. The visor trim although it looks good patina wise, is too long and may be from a different helmet. At the very least it has to be trimmed to fit and a new hole drilled. I am also going to have to provide a new original trim split brad. The Baden kokarde is in excellent condition but has an unusual brass like finish applied to the steel. Areas of missing finish can also be seen.

Excellent M15 liner, no torn tongues and original leather thong still present. Marked to JR 170 formed in 1897, based in Offenburg with the 111 Batt. stationed in Donaueschingen. The wappen wedges have never been removed, nor the the spike brads. Again, in my experience most M15's have no Regt. stamps.

Last, a six sided nut on the spine screw post and the post itself has been peened so the nut can not be removed. I have seen this done once before in my restoration travels. I am going to start by using Wojtek's vinegar and water to wet the top and reshape it.

 

[k bandow]

This looks like a tougher project. I wish you nothing but success, Brian!

I look forward to seeing the progress and results!

 

[Khukri]

A challenge! No doubt: the mother will never ever recognise her boy after the makeover

 

[b.loree]

I highly recommend to anyone getting into restoration of these helmets....buy a hat stretcher:

I use antique ones and although I have bought one of the "modern" repros on Ebay, they are crap in comparison. This one obviously has a wooden handle but there are sturdier ones which have metal handles that I also use. This little helmet was on it's way to caving in when I received it but as you can see the stretcher has done it's work. That "peened" screw post on the spine is also going to cause problems if I have to restitch the visor. Note as well, the dimple on the underside of the front visor trim.....a typical sign of shrinkage! So many of these trim pieces eventually split with the pressure! You can see in the previous photos how the rear spine has also been partially flattened by this shrinkage. This is all part of the restoration game.