Brass-plated steel wappens

M

Mart Vear

New member
I recently purchased my 7th fitzhelm - a 1916 dated OR's marked to either the R175th or R176. Brass side posts, spike and wappen. Here is the interesting bit - the wappen (Prussian Line eagle) is brass plated steel as proven by my fridge magnet!

As this fitz has no front peak trim and no rear spine, I'd guess it is a very late pattern (as 1916 dated), just before or during when the zinc-phosphated / painted steel trimmed fitzhelms came into issue.

Looking at the shape and manufacture details, I think this is a Berthold Lissner - Guben manufactured item - judging buy the press marks at the junction between the front and rear peaks and the helmet shell. Also the purple / maroon paper label approx 7mm x 7mm with "59" (cm) in gold lettering. I have noticed similar details on two other Berthold Lissner maker marked fitzhelms in my collection (8th KGR & a kugelhelm Ft. A. Reg Ordnance General No.3).

Any comments?

Regards,

Martin.
 
Martin,

I never did take a look at the timing of ersatz trim vs. M15 metal so I can be of little help. However, I will shamelessly beg for pictures of your markings as we are aware of Berthold Lissner but do not have a Mark on our listing.

:D :D :D
 
Here is a bit of trivia about painting over wappen.

The Kammer could buy a big bottle and paint over all sorts of things!
a4.jpg
 
Hi Joe,

Thanks for your comments I have two Fitzhelm made by Lissner. One has a liner - the other one is missing it's liner. However, both have the original 1914 dated manufacturer's labels (there are in coloured ink as opposed to just black ink). Also, both are absolutely intact. I will send you some photos as requested. Should be able to get some good internal photos from the Fitzhelm with the missing liner. Will also give you all the details regarding markings,etc. Please post these on you site. More than happy to assist you and fellow collectors.

Kind Regards,

Martin.
 
Boy, that is a first. I have never seen a OR's brass plated steel Wappen. Seen lots of brass-painted ones, but never plated? Can you post some photos?
 
Hi Tony,

Thanks for your e-mail.

In 25 years of collecting, I've never seen a brass-plated wappen before. It was only when I took ownership of this pickelhaube and started to carefully remove layers of dirt and grime that I realised that the base-metal is steel as opposed to brass. The brass (electro-plating) is of quite a sustantual thickness - not a gilt (substitute gold effect wash). When you examine the "high points" - in other words; the raised stamped details that would be at risk from abbraison from a cloth cover, etc., then you can see the steel base metal showing through.

Will get some detailed pictures off to you soon.

Kind Regards,

Martin.
 
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