Bavarian Inf. EM M1915 Pickelhaube

RON

RON

Well-known member
As discussed in Edwin's thread, here's a haube with holes that seem to have been arsenal moved... or not?
What do you think, if arsenal moved would it be worth bidding on?
Any other issues with it? Do the markings match the plate at least?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/290602373414?ss" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; ... 1423.l2649
 
Looks like a decent helmet to me, although the chinstrap seems repro. It would be nice if the seller would post additional pictures with close ups of the cockades because with the current pics its difficult to tell whether they are authenthic or not.

If there is a good explanation presented for the extra holes, then I would not refrain from making a bid.

Kind regards,

Edwin
 
Hey Edwin,
According to the description, the moving of the holes was made by the army.
I doubt the guy would know anything more about these (I'm enquiring anyway).
The only way would be to check on the last closeup posted if these look to have been moved by the army arsenal indeed (if the patches match what used to be done then)...
Could this be an older shell modified with wartime (M15) fittings? There doesn't seem to be any date stamped in there but maybe the markings could help?
 
Hey Ron,
I think htis is a normal M1915 that had been holed for the Prussian Wappen, the Bavarian Wappen has mounting loops that are closer together, and if it was acquired by the Bavarian Bekleidungsamt, the the holes would be changed (I can not read the BA mark) Do the holes lower the value of the helemt, Not to me, it is part of the history of this helmet, but for some it will.
Best
Gus
 
The requested closeups just came in (see below).
According to the seller, the cockades are original but the "strap may be a replacement copy, buckles appear original" (looks all fake to me too Edwin).
As for the markings, these are (again according to seller):
"BAV1915"
"IR16" (looks more like a 'JR16' to me)

So my question to you guys is, do the markings support Gus's scenario: A Prussian (or other state) Pickelhaube--designed to fit a wappen with more spaced-up fixation gromelets--transferred to a Bavarian arsenal that would've modified it to fit their own wappen?
BavarianInfEMPickelhaubeM1915-1k.jpg

BavarianInfEMPickelhaubeM1915-1l.jpg

BavarianInfEMPickelhaubeM1915-1m.jpg

BavarianInfEMPickelhaubeM1915-1n.jpg
 
BAV would be from the provence of Posen, part of Prussian, if I am not mistaken, IR16 (or JR16, that is the same thing) would be from Westphalia, unless it was the Bavarian JR16
Best
Gus
 
Hey Gus,
But if it was modified in a Bavarian Arsenal, shouldn't there be a (Bavarian) acceptance stamp somewhere in addition to the alleged Prussian (origin) arsenal & regimental markings (J.R. 16)?
Sorry guys, I'm still a rookie when it comes to markings as I'm used to War Bond helmets which it seems to me are usually poor in regimental or arsenal markings...
 
I have seen many arsenal repairs on M15s. Leather plugs covered in finish like these or flat circular black slpit brads stuck in the holes and then the prongs bent back, strictly made for a quick fill in! Many restitches, and replaced visors. Restitch done every other hole in order to fill in and with coarse war time thread. Converted M95s to Grey M15 fittings with the original brass grommets for the wappen removed or sometimes just left there. Leather visors replaced with cardboard ones, papier mache pickelhauben, all sorts of expedient repair measures.
 
Actually, the repairs on this one do seem to have been made by the army itself but it's the markings that don't seem to validate a Prussian to Bavarian conversion... (there's what seems to be a Prussian arsenal acceptance stamp only; what about a Bavarian proof of modifcation?)

Does anyone have further clues on these markings? (time is running out with the auction :-? )
 
Why do some (unexperienced) bidders fall into the trap of increasing prices beyond a reasonable point well ahead of auction end? Why can't they wait till the last hour or so to try their luck or increase bids :-? ?

This helmet has already passed the $700 notch despite altered holes and a fake chinstrap and there's still 4 hours to go!

Anyway, where are you Pickelhaube markings experts? Need your opinion on the markings detailed above guys please!
 
"Why do some (unexperienced) bidders fall into the trap of increasing prices beyond a reasonable point well ahead of auction end? Why can't they wait till the last hour or so to try their luck or increase bids?"

They're impatient and don't know any better.
 
I ended-up passing on that one since it had become too expensive to justify the issues raised.

30 Bids from 12 Bidders, a couple of which were fighting over it as if they didn't realize they were inflating that thing well beyond its actual value for everybody including themselves! At $815 + at least $150 for an authentic chinstrap--that is if you're lucky to find a good one at that price--we're already close to $1,000 and there's a chance that helmet could be a complete flop (made from parts)! :-x
 
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