Bing(?) Steel Ersatz with unusual construction including 8 liner pins.

[michaelwwi]

This is a helmet I’ve researched a great deal through many reference books and haven’t found any other examples minus one other one on this site. It has 8 liner pins connecting to a metal liner band. Everything in the construction looks legit and period, it’s just that it’s a construction that I haven’t seen besides one other example. The paint is also very strange, especially with so much of it faded revealing the silver color beneath. I don’t believe it to be steel, as it does not react to a magnet, although the liner band and pins do. The spike is sagged to a small degree. I’ve seen one similar example in the Ersatz forum on this website, with markings for Bing. This however has no markings that I’ve been able to find. The damage to the paint makes me think that it is period but I cannot know for sure. I believe it to be genuine, although the cockades may be reproductions. I welcome any criticism and questions and I’m more than willing to provide any further images if they are inquired.

 

[b.loree]

Could this helmet be made of aluminum? James and I discovered an all aluminum Bavarian officer helmet at the SOS 2019

 

[michaelwwi]

Could this helmet be made of aluminum? James and I discovered an all aluminum Bavarian officer helmet at the SOS 2019

This is a great possibility. I’ve seen the posts on the SOS example as well as a relic dug infantry example that is more similar to mine than the officer’s example. From my work in historic preservation I’ve learned that aluminum reacts somewhat corrosively when fastened by non-aluminum screws, nails, pins, etc. which may explain the small patches of rust on the interior band, as well as the aluminum-like color under the paint. I’m very open to this theory.