Bavarian M15
- Thread starter b.loree
- Start date
Well gentlemen, I would direct you to The Kaisers Bunker site, helmets, M15 Bavarian Mounted Troops. Take a look at Tony's example but more importantly the period wedding photo where the Bavarian groom is wearing one of these helmets without pearl ring. The patina of the spike top on my helmet also matches the rest of the fittings exactly. Regardless, I will not be looking for another spike. 
John Josef
Well-known member
I look at spiked helmets like I look at rifles and bolts with matching numbers, most were taken apart after the war and finding one with the original bolt is rare and cost a premium just like a Pickelhaube with matching spike.
This comment isn't directed at Bill's helmet which I love but just a comment when such topics of conversation come up.
Always interesting.
This comment isn't directed at Bill's helmet which I love but just a comment when such topics of conversation come up.
Always interesting.
John Josef
Well-known member
Well gentlemen, I would direct you to The Kaisers Bunker site, helmets, M15 Bavarian Mounted Troops. Take a look at Tony's example but more importantly the period wedding photo where the Bavarian groom is wearing one of these helmets without pearl ring. The patina of the spike top on my helmet also matches the rest of the fittings exactly. Regardless, I will not be looking for another spike.
Interesting to see the Bavarian groom also wearing the badge on his collar for the 11. Infantry Division.
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That is interesting. He’s full-on Chevaulegers, with Bayern M10 Feldrock and mounted Troops belt with hanger. Is it possible he has been attached out to the 11th infantry division for HQ guard duty? Or whatever else do you do with cavalry troops during trench warfare?
A small gift from me, a larger image. Worth saving.
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ww1czechlegion
Well-known member
Well gentlemen, I would direct you to The Kaisers Bunker site, helmets, M15 Bavarian Mounted Troops. Take a look at Tony's example but more importantly the period wedding photo where the Bavarian groom is wearing one of these helmets without pearl ring. The patina of the spike top on my helmet also matches the rest of the fittings exactly. Regardless, I will not be looking for another spike.
I fully agree with you Brian.
I'd simply like to clarify something I posted earlier here. When I posted here on this thread about Mecklenburg M15 Helmets using a fluted spike with no pearl ring, I was not inferring that your helmet spike without a pearl ring was incorrect on your helmet.
I clearly recall Randy T. specifically stating that as the war progressed, these fluted M15 spikes that started out being manufactured with a pearl ring on the spike, transitioned into being made without a pearl ring at the bottom of the spike, because of wartime expediency, and because of the tedious nature of manufacturing a wartime steel fluted spike with a separately applied pearl ring at the bottom of the spike.
What I don't clearly recall, however, is whether Randy T. posted this wise comment on this forum, or if it was on his website.
And lastly, Tony's superb photo he has shared with us proves this point, that the spike without a pearl ring is clearly correct on your helmet.
Best Wishes,
Alan
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ww1czechlegion
Well-known member
Here's an image I found a few years ago that shows an M15 Bavarian enlisted helmet with a non-fluted regular infantry style spike.
I also have a photograph similar to Tony's image. My subject is wearing a sword. I'm trying to locate it among my hundreds of images. The M15 helmet has a fluted spike, but I don't know if the spike has the pearl ring on it or not. I will post the image when I locate it.
I also have a photograph similar to Tony's image. My subject is wearing a sword. I'm trying to locate it among my hundreds of images. The M15 helmet has a fluted spike, but I don't know if the spike has the pearl ring on it or not. I will post the image when I locate it.
Here is my contribution
great helmet Tony! this is a very interesting posting!
James
James
John Josef
Well-known member
I really like the photo and thank you Tony for the blown-up view now I can really see the badge for the 11. Bavarian Infantry Division.
The order of Battle for the 11. as of early April 1915, shows the following.
1.Eskadron/Kgl. Bayerisches 2. Chevaulegers-Regiment Taxis
2.Eskadron/Kgl. Bayerisches 7. Chevaulegers-Regiment Prinz Alfons
Over the course of the war calvary were certainly reduced and the order of battle dated January 1918 shows only the following unit remaining for the 11.
2.Eskadron/Kgl. Bayerisches 7. Chevaulegers-Regiment Prinz Alfons.
Maybe if you have any info about that fine young man on the back of the card this information can be of help to know exactly which unit he was in. Even with the blown-up view I can't make out the shoulder board or guess the color of the piping.
Beautiful image to be sure I may use it as inspiration to recreate his exact uniform and equipment even down to the 11. Infantry badge.
CLOVIS 57
Well-known member
Two M15 nails:
---To the left the real M15 for Bavarian artillery or cavalry, is 15cm, and is more ogival and pointed. The grooves go all the way to the point.
---On the right, the genuine M15 for Mecklenburg-Schwerin (GR89, FR90, DR17 and 18) is 16 cm long, more slender, with a flattened, rounded tip. The flutes taper off at the tip.
These grey-iron M15 points are modelled on the Bavarian M86 and Schwerin M97 brass points.
---To the left the real M15 for Bavarian artillery or cavalry, is 15cm, and is more ogival and pointed. The grooves go all the way to the point.
---On the right, the genuine M15 for Mecklenburg-Schwerin (GR89, FR90, DR17 and 18) is 16 cm long, more slender, with a flattened, rounded tip. The flutes taper off at the tip.
These grey-iron M15 points are modelled on the Bavarian M86 and Schwerin M97 brass points.
JPT
Active member
Je trouve que le casque bavarois n'est pas un thème simple. En effet entre le chevauleger, l'artillerie, les casques d'officiers d'infanterie, de cavalerie, d'artillerie etc... ce n'est pas facile de s'y retrouver quand ils ne sont pas bien marqués, ils se ressemblent tous
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Amybellars
Well-known member
CLOVIS 57
Well-known member
yes, because in fact, until 1915, there were only 2 schell models:
---The M1886 (with Haarbusch for the artillery, but not for the infantry) (curved scale chinstrap for the artillery and cavalry, flat for the infantry)
---The M1896 (Prussian infantry type M95) but with side post, round visor and base, and small front plate.
Don’t forget Train in Mounted Troops!
My Bavarian M15 Feld Artillery helmet photographed today:
Fortunately I had an original M15 strap which fit perfectly! By looking at the front visor, we can also see how shiny the original shellac finish was. The spike top does have a bit of a tilt but it is original to the piece! Of note, I have the helmet on an antique wooden hat maker form. I would encourage any collector to have a few of these on hand especially when you buy a helmet which has been neglected for years and has twisted out of shape as this one had when I got it. Most of these are fairly heavy but this one is "balsa wood" light! If you visit Y tube and watch modern hat makers......many are still using these forms from the 1900's. These videos with some use of "imagination" show us how our filz helmes were made.
I completed the piece with original Reichs and Bavarian kokarden.
Fortunately I had an original M15 strap which fit perfectly!
By looking at the front visor, we can also see how shiny the original shellac finish was. The spike top does have a bit of a tilt but it is original to the piece! Of note, I have the helmet on an antique wooden hat maker form. I would encourage any collector to have a few of these on hand especially when you buy a helmet which has been neglected for years and has twisted out of shape as this one had when I got it. Most of these are fairly heavy but this one is "balsa wood" light! If you visit Y tube and watch modern hat makers......many are still using these forms from the 1900's. These videos with some use of "imagination" show us how our filz helmes were made.I completed the piece with original Reichs and Bavarian kokarden.