Bavarian Shako, enlisted in silver

ww1czechlegion

ww1czechlegion

Well-known member
Hello,

This just came in the mail on Saturday from a friend who acquired it in the 1990's at a Belgium flea market while he was living overseas.

I'm using the photos he took of the shako.

Shako would have been worn by Bavarian Eisenbahn Batallion, Luftschiffer Batallion and Kraftfahrer Batallion, and 1st & 2nd Telegraph Batallion.

There are two small holes on the lower center back visor. Maybe this helmet was mounted as a souvenir on a wall at one time???

Looks like it is Depot Issue marked inside "B. A. I." and "1918". I can't quite make out the maker mark. Looks like there is a penciled name that has been scribbled over with pencil, and another "191?" date.

The Feldzeichen is a repro.

The front plate has the original loops, and it is held in place by old wire twisted back and forth through the wire loops of the front plate.

It will be an interesting challenge to find a silver fitted chinstrap for this shako, and an original Bavarian feldzeichen.

Best Regards,

Alan

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Alan:

Nice shako.

Those two rear visor holes could be easily re-lacquered.

I'm surprised that silver fittings were still being used as late as 1918.

Steve
 
I've run across a couple of helmets that were dated 1918, but made to 1914 standards (Brass fittings and non removable spike). I've assumed that they were using left over parts since the helmets were no longer being worn in combat.
 
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