Anthony Charles
New member
Anthony C. Meldahl, Ersatz Spike Helmets Research/translations, Feb 22, 2010.
Document I found in Munich 1989. I spent 3 weeks in this archive.
(ACM Doc #3.) (Preussen) Kriegsministerium Nr. 13.11.12.B3 vom 22.2.1913. BayHSt
Prussian Ministry of War
Berlin 22. Feb 1913
SUBJECT: Helmet for Foot Troops
I. Recently the following suggestions were made by multiple sources for making improvements to the current model of spike helmet.
a) The introduction of a
1) matte gray painted helmet
2) gray helmets (similar to that of the East Asian Expeditionary Force) helmet which is
covered with cloth
3) helmets made of natural colored leather with an embossed eagle
4) lighter helmets
b) the production of metal fittings and front plates made of matte bronze
c) the production of metal fittings and the front plate out of aluminum
d) removable shiny metal pieces
e) dispense with the spike
f ) paint the helmet and the fittings gray in the field
g) remove or shorten the rear visor
h) movable flip up front and rear visor
i) a better ventilation system like that used on the pith helmet (corregated
II. The Ministry of War is honored to respond to these suggestions..based upon the wear trials with the following comments:
Re: a) 1-3. A gray or natural colored spike helmet doesn’t go well with the blue uniform (parade or church dress). Therefore in addition to the gray or natural colored helmets, we need to retain the previous models. But to take such measures would be prohibitedly expensive.
Re: a) 1. Also..matte paint shines somewhat
Up to 200 meters with the unaided eye
Up to 500 meters with binoculars
So that the intended purpose of making the cloth helmet cover unnecessary is not achieved.
Re: a) 2. The helmets with cloth covered bodies have been unsuccessful because after being worn a short time they become unsightly.
Re: a) 3. Natural colored leather stains and looks spotty and is not suitable for wear in peacetime.
Re: a) 4. Felt helmets are not any lighter and are subject to moth damage. Helmets made of hard paper are now being tested. The results will soon be available.
Re: a) 5. The M1895 helmet, which is not yet in use by the troops, is already as light as war usage would permit
Re: a) 6. Matte helmet fittings and insignia become shiny with use. They glitter up to 200 meters with the unaided aye and can be seen up to 500 maters with binoculars
Re: c) The use of aluminum fittings and insignia on spike helmets is not recommended in light easily aluminum canteens and mess kits are damaged when stored together.
Re d) Removable pieces are easily lost. During the wear trials the troops complained about it.
Re: e) Without a spike the helmet is unsuitable for wear in parades and
Re: f) Painting the helmets during a mobilization requires a lot of time and effort and therefore is not feasible. The paint won’t stick to the metal parts and will have to be repainted during the campaign. Gray paint also makes the fittings and insignia unattractive (defaces them)
Re: g) The M1895 helmet already has the rear visor at the shortest possible size. If the rear visor were any shorter it wouldn’t protect against rain, water would run down a soldier’s back.
Re: h) We have done wear trials with different types of adjustable visors. The folding mechanism is neither durable nor practical. The visor flips up at inopportune times and is bothersome and distracting.
Re: i) This feature puts unbearable pressure to the head and interferes with the fit of the helmet.
After reviewing all of these results, the current model of helmet has proven itself to still be the best model. The weight of a line infantry spike helmet is only 370 grams (with the helmet cover 400 grams) opposed to the helmet worn in the 1870-71 war which weighed 777 grams. This is therefore already a reduction in weight of about 400 grams (370 grams). To have the helmet match the field gray uniform, the best solution is still the use of the helmet cover.
Signed/im Auftrag Staabs
Document I found in Munich 1989. I spent 3 weeks in this archive.
(ACM Doc #3.) (Preussen) Kriegsministerium Nr. 13.11.12.B3 vom 22.2.1913. BayHSt
Prussian Ministry of War
Berlin 22. Feb 1913
SUBJECT: Helmet for Foot Troops
I. Recently the following suggestions were made by multiple sources for making improvements to the current model of spike helmet.
a) The introduction of a
1) matte gray painted helmet
2) gray helmets (similar to that of the East Asian Expeditionary Force) helmet which is
covered with cloth
3) helmets made of natural colored leather with an embossed eagle
4) lighter helmets
b) the production of metal fittings and front plates made of matte bronze
c) the production of metal fittings and the front plate out of aluminum
d) removable shiny metal pieces
e) dispense with the spike
f ) paint the helmet and the fittings gray in the field
g) remove or shorten the rear visor
h) movable flip up front and rear visor
i) a better ventilation system like that used on the pith helmet (corregated
II. The Ministry of War is honored to respond to these suggestions..based upon the wear trials with the following comments:
Re: a) 1-3. A gray or natural colored spike helmet doesn’t go well with the blue uniform (parade or church dress). Therefore in addition to the gray or natural colored helmets, we need to retain the previous models. But to take such measures would be prohibitedly expensive.
Re: a) 1. Also..matte paint shines somewhat
Up to 200 meters with the unaided eye
Up to 500 meters with binoculars
So that the intended purpose of making the cloth helmet cover unnecessary is not achieved.
Re: a) 2. The helmets with cloth covered bodies have been unsuccessful because after being worn a short time they become unsightly.
Re: a) 3. Natural colored leather stains and looks spotty and is not suitable for wear in peacetime.
Re: a) 4. Felt helmets are not any lighter and are subject to moth damage. Helmets made of hard paper are now being tested. The results will soon be available.
Re: a) 5. The M1895 helmet, which is not yet in use by the troops, is already as light as war usage would permit
Re: a) 6. Matte helmet fittings and insignia become shiny with use. They glitter up to 200 meters with the unaided aye and can be seen up to 500 maters with binoculars
Re: c) The use of aluminum fittings and insignia on spike helmets is not recommended in light easily aluminum canteens and mess kits are damaged when stored together.
Re d) Removable pieces are easily lost. During the wear trials the troops complained about it.
Re: e) Without a spike the helmet is unsuitable for wear in parades and
Re: f) Painting the helmets during a mobilization requires a lot of time and effort and therefore is not feasible. The paint won’t stick to the metal parts and will have to be repainted during the campaign. Gray paint also makes the fittings and insignia unattractive (defaces them)
Re: g) The M1895 helmet already has the rear visor at the shortest possible size. If the rear visor were any shorter it wouldn’t protect against rain, water would run down a soldier’s back.
Re: h) We have done wear trials with different types of adjustable visors. The folding mechanism is neither durable nor practical. The visor flips up at inopportune times and is bothersome and distracting.
Re: i) This feature puts unbearable pressure to the head and interferes with the fit of the helmet.
After reviewing all of these results, the current model of helmet has proven itself to still be the best model. The weight of a line infantry spike helmet is only 370 grams (with the helmet cover 400 grams) opposed to the helmet worn in the 1870-71 war which weighed 777 grams. This is therefore already a reduction in weight of about 400 grams (370 grams). To have the helmet match the field gray uniform, the best solution is still the use of the helmet cover.
Signed/im Auftrag Staabs