Anthony Charles
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Anthony C. Meldahl, Ersatz Spike Helmet Article Part 9
Document I found in Munich 1989. I spent 2 weeks in this archive.
(Translation by A. C. Meldahl)
(ACM Doc #9.0.). Bayer.I AK 23.10.14. BayHStA. Abt. IV M Kr 5102.
From: I. Bavarian Army Corps/ Nr. 12953
Munich
October 23, 1914
To: The Royal Bavarian Ministry of War
Munich
Reference: Royal Bavarian Ministry of War Decree Nr. 42430, dated Oct.15, 1914
Subject: Helmets
The tin ersatz spike helmets from the firm Weissenburger and Co. and the aluminum ersatz spike helmets from the firm Bing were issued to the Ersatz (replacement depot) Battalion of the 2nd (Bavarian) Infantry Regiment. The troops involved in the wear trials reported the following observations:
A) Tin Spike Helmets
Tin spike helmets are suitable for wartime use and serve the purpose they were designed to fill. They are not too heavy and do not cause uncomfortable pressure to the wearer’s head since the metal helmet body is spring like and bends to fit the wearer’s head. The black paint is durable and does not crack or break away when the helmet body is flexed. Ventilation in the helmet is adequate and is provided for through six vent holes in the spike.
B) Aluminum Helmets
The aluminum spike helmets are also suitable for wartime usage. It is lighter than the tin spike helmet and is more comfortable to wear. The metal body is flexible and easily conforms to the wearer’s head. One problem is that the oil based paint easily cracks and pieces break away. The yellow metal spike and the helmet body shines. The purpose of the gray paint, which is to make the wear of a helmet cover unnecessary, is therefore not attained. In order to be used in the field this helmet must be worn with a helmet cover. Worn with a cover the helmet is suitable for wear in the field.
Regarding A) and B)
We were unable to determine if when the temperature is very hot or cold if this would make the wear of these metal ersatz helmets uncomfortable, however it is believed that the thick leather liner will be effective in insulating the wearer from heat or cold. We will report on the production and wear trials of ersatz cork spike helmets after we receive information from the Clothing Issue Depot (Kriegs Bekleidungsamt) of the II. (Bavarian) Army Corps.
The firm v.der Heyden, according to the Clothing Issue Depot (Kriegs Bekleidungsamtes), can deliver several thousand helmets in November and an even larger number of helmets in December at the price of 9.50 Marks.
The firm Bortfield in Bremen can deliver several thousand ersatz spike helmets in November. Later they could produce up to 1000 helmets a day at the price of 9 Marks.
A more specific production estimate by the various firms could not be made.
Document I found in Munich 1989. I spent 2 weeks in this archive.
(Translation by A. C. Meldahl)
(ACM Doc #9.0.). Bayer.I AK 23.10.14. BayHStA. Abt. IV M Kr 5102.
From: I. Bavarian Army Corps/ Nr. 12953
Munich
October 23, 1914
To: The Royal Bavarian Ministry of War
Munich
Reference: Royal Bavarian Ministry of War Decree Nr. 42430, dated Oct.15, 1914
Subject: Helmets
The tin ersatz spike helmets from the firm Weissenburger and Co. and the aluminum ersatz spike helmets from the firm Bing were issued to the Ersatz (replacement depot) Battalion of the 2nd (Bavarian) Infantry Regiment. The troops involved in the wear trials reported the following observations:
A) Tin Spike Helmets
Tin spike helmets are suitable for wartime use and serve the purpose they were designed to fill. They are not too heavy and do not cause uncomfortable pressure to the wearer’s head since the metal helmet body is spring like and bends to fit the wearer’s head. The black paint is durable and does not crack or break away when the helmet body is flexed. Ventilation in the helmet is adequate and is provided for through six vent holes in the spike.
B) Aluminum Helmets
The aluminum spike helmets are also suitable for wartime usage. It is lighter than the tin spike helmet and is more comfortable to wear. The metal body is flexible and easily conforms to the wearer’s head. One problem is that the oil based paint easily cracks and pieces break away. The yellow metal spike and the helmet body shines. The purpose of the gray paint, which is to make the wear of a helmet cover unnecessary, is therefore not attained. In order to be used in the field this helmet must be worn with a helmet cover. Worn with a cover the helmet is suitable for wear in the field.
Regarding A) and B)
We were unable to determine if when the temperature is very hot or cold if this would make the wear of these metal ersatz helmets uncomfortable, however it is believed that the thick leather liner will be effective in insulating the wearer from heat or cold. We will report on the production and wear trials of ersatz cork spike helmets after we receive information from the Clothing Issue Depot (Kriegs Bekleidungsamt) of the II. (Bavarian) Army Corps.
The firm v.der Heyden, according to the Clothing Issue Depot (Kriegs Bekleidungsamtes), can deliver several thousand helmets in November and an even larger number of helmets in December at the price of 9.50 Marks.
The firm Bortfield in Bremen can deliver several thousand ersatz spike helmets in November. Later they could produce up to 1000 helmets a day at the price of 9 Marks.
A more specific production estimate by the various firms could not be made.