DR 23 Officer Helmet With Bravery Star

b.loree

b.loree

Administrator
Staff member
Another project here sent to me by Doug B. This helmet originates from the Steve McFarland collection and he had posted photos of this piece a few years back. The helmet needs both visors restitched. The before photos:
IMG_5168.jpeg
All fittings are neusilber. The helmet is in excellent condition as we shall see. The "bravery award" appears in the added crossed swords which do not appear on any other Hessen helmet at least to my knowledge and last, I could not find any photos of this type of helmet in my reference books. The swords are brass in colour in order to contrast with the silver star.
IMG_5170.jpeg
The officer stars are also silver which is a bit unusual as many Prussian Regts. use brass to contrast with the silver spike base.
IMG_5171.jpeg
Convex cavalry scales and a nice Hessen officer kokarde.
IMG_5172.jpeg
Dragoner style rear spine. The lower brad is actually. soldered to the spine while the upper does have prongs which fasten the spine to the shell. Some minor crazing to the shellac finish due to environmental conditions.
IMG_5176.jpeg
The liner obviously is pristine and complete. :) I have the piece taken apart at the moment and will post further photos
IMG_5174.jpeg
The need to restitch the front visor is obvious.
IMG_5173.jpeg
Doug was surprised when I told him that the rear visor needed some work as well. I do not "make work" for myself on these projects but if I find something that needs doing while I have it, it should be done. I have never had a collector object to that.
 
b.loree said:
Another project here sent to me by Doug B. This helmet originates from the Steve McFarland collection and he had posted photos of this piece a few years back. The helmet needs both visors restitched. The before photos:
View attachment 78740
All fittings are neusilber. The helmet is in excellent condition as we shall see. The "bravery award" appears in the added crossed swords which do not appear on any other Hessen helmet at least to my knowledge and last, I could not find any photos of this type of helmet in my reference books. The swords are brass in colour in order to contrast with the silver star.
View attachment 78741
The officer stars are also silver which is a bit unusual as many Prussian Regts. use brass to contrast with the silver spike base.
View attachment 78742
Convex cavalry scales and a nice Hessen officer kokarde.
View attachment 78743
Dragoner style rear spine. The lower brad is actually. soldered to the spine while the upper does have prongs which fasten the spine to the shell. Some minor crazing to the shellac finish due to environmental conditions.
View attachment 78744
The liner obviously is pristine and complete. :) I have the piece taken apart at the moment and will post further photos
View attachment 78745
The need to restitch the front visor is obvious.
View attachment 78746
Doug was surprised when I told him that the rear visor needed some work as well. I do not "make work" for myself on these projects but if I find something that needs doing while I have it, it should be done. I have never had a collector object to that.
Click to expand...
I'm sure you can do a great job on this one Brian! Having seen many of your restoration projects.
But a question from me, is, or was Steve's collection for sale, after he passed away?

Regards, Coert.
 
b.loree said:
Yes it was/is Coert. I do not know how much is left but there have been several dealers and collectors who have purchased items from the collection.
Click to expand...
Well, I was very interested in the Oldenburg M15 helmet, had a lot of messages with Steve, who got in contact with me via his son, Steve let me know he would pass it on to me, but only after he would pass the here and now for the afterlife. I never heard from his son after Steve's passing. It doesn't matter, but that's the reason I asked.

Regards, Coert.
 
The helmet as it is today and ready for stitching:
IMG_5180.jpeg
All fittings and visors have been removed except for the scales. The painter's tape is there to keep the ends fastened so that the 2 halves do not flop around during the process. All stitch holes have been cleaned out and are ready for new 100% cotton vintage thread. If the scales interfere, I will remove them. The stitch holes are 1mm apart. 😐
IMG_5182.jpeg
All the old thread has been cleaned out. I am going to try and stitch the visor with the spine still in place. These split brads which hold the spine to the visor have a bad habit....one thin prong often snaps off. I am trying to avoid this here. The visor leather is in good shape which makes my job a bit easier.
IMG_5185.jpeg
My 56 cm work space. :) My right hand is going to go in and out of here well over 200 times. In this case the silk is secured to the sweatband and has no tears which is exceptional!!! Still, I MUST be very careful...even pulling out the sweatband and silk as seen here can cause damage.😐 To be continued...
 
Hi Coert: I never saw Steve's collection in person, never visited. My only contact with him was through emails and when he would come to our tables at the SOS in Louisville. I did buy 3 rare wappen and a silver Garde spike from him years before he passed away.
 
b.loree said:
Yes it was/is Coert. I do not know how much is left but there have been several dealers and collectors who have purchased items from the collection.
Click to expand...

That's interesting if one of these dealers or collectors happened to see any items that Steve had put my name in or on I'm still interested in them.

Steve never wanted to sell the items, and I did ask a few times, but he did say he would put my name in them or just JJ on a piece of paper and when he passed, he had made arrangements that I would be contacted. I totally understood his view on selling; I feel the same way.

I never liked to mention it to him for obvious reasons, but he had told me this had been done for others as well.

Oh well what can you do, we miss ya Steve. :cry:🙏
 
Brian,

Your wonderful and amazing level of patience, skill and also being so very extra careful with not damaging a delicate silk liner in an officer helmet re-stitch project is beyond my level of comprehension. You are the "King" of re-stitching on these helmets. We're lucky to be able to send our restoration projects to you, and witness here your amazing level of patience, skill and being so very careful with these projects! I can understand how many of these delicate, intricate projects and being careful with trying not to damage silk liners would try a person's patience.

Best Wishes,

Alan
 
Brian it’s looking great so far and I’m appreciative your eagle eyes caught the rear visor as well. Thankful you have the skill, talent, experience and patience to repair these. Can’t wait to see the finished helmet!
 
Thanks for the accolades guys....you're giving me a swelled head! :) I just try and do my best which seems to work out ok. My thanks to you Doug for trusting me with these rare helmets. I can't think of their value though when I am taking them apart! :D
 
b.loree said:
Thanks for the accolades guys....you're giving me a swelled head! :) I just try and do my best which seems to work out ok. My thanks to you Doug for trusting me with these rare helmets. I can't think of their value though when I am taking them apart! :D
Click to expand...

You’re the man.

I am grateful to be able to be the custodian of this unique piece and carry on a small part of Steve’s legacy.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top