Colour - M.1915 Cavalry helmets (additional note)

[Mart Vear]

Hi all,

Further to my original posted questions, I'm refering specifically to the M.1915 Cuirassiers helmets and not the M.1905 ZDP blued steel helmets.

Regards,

Martin.

(once I've sussed-out how to attach photos, I'll send some to the Forum - thanks for your assistance with this matter Brian.)

 

[911car]

Hi Martin,
The 1915 Kurassier helmet was made of polished steel. However, Larcade mentions in his book that since these sufaces would become rapidly oxidized most of them were in fact blackened, like the JzP helmets, and he shows p. 25 a picture of both models side by side. Nowadays, the polished steel version is more frequently encountered than the other one though. Fine leather lining under the front visor and lobstertail indicates an officer helmet, or a private purchase helmet for an Unteroffizier, Einjahriges Freiwilliger...
Bruno

 

[Mart Vear]

Hi Martin,
The 1915 Kurassier helmet was made of polished steel. However, Larcade mentions in his book that since these sufaces would become rapidly oxidized most of them were in fact blackened, like the JzP helmets, and he shows p. 25 a picture of both models side by side. Nowadays, the polished steel version is more frequently encountered than the other one though. Fine leather lining under the front visor and lobstertail indicates an officer helmet, or a private purchase helmet for an Unteroffizier, Einjahriges Freiwilliger...
Bruno

Hi Bruno,

Thanks for your comments - I think that my M.1915 Saxon GR helmet is an issued version as it is of heavy construction, regimentally marked "GR" , size marked "58" to rear peak. Seems odd to me that with the production shortages in 1916 that the rear lobstertail is leather lined. On closer inspection it appears that this liner was affixed before the trim was crimped to the raw edge as I cannot se a "sharp edge" to the leather where it meets the edge of the trim. I recall reading somewhere <Bowman> that some of the more 'prestige' regiments were the last to suffer from the omissions due to wartime shortages. Maybe this is such an example as it certainly does not appear to be private purchase, Einjarriges volunteer, etc. The stamped markings and positions of such appear to be very consistant with the other five 'lobsters' in my collection.