Extra holes behind the wappen

edwin

edwin

Active member
Dear all,

Recently, I encountered a nice and very affordable pickelhaube but, however, there were extra holes behind the wappen. I know this is considered by many collectors as a bad sign and it also devaluates a helmet. Why is this often seen as something suspicious?

Regards,

Edwin
 
There are cases for extra holes, such as a grenadier helmet that was converted when the unit went from a line to a grenadier eagle. HOWEVER, extra holes created by an arsenal or unit for the re-plating of a helmet were 1) covered so they blended back in with the shell. I've seen bits (square or circular) of what looks like fabric or leather over these holes that were also filled with what appears to me to be lacquer similar to the helmet shell. 2) the new holes were lined in most cases (for enlisted helmets) with new gromits, or metal 'eyes'. Now, I don't know about officer helmets, since many if not most are without the gromits and it is possible for an officer to have changed units and plates as necessary, but then again, the old holes would most likely be covered / repaired. There's a nice photo of this on Der Rittmeister's site. : http://www.derrittmeister.com/images/04575p.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Hope this helps. But yes, unexplained extra holes do devalue a helmet as anything improper would.

:D Ron
 
Another point may be that if the helmet is affordable, you could purchase it for potential parts. Or... in the hope that an explanation for the holes presents itself, unlikely as that is. BUT if you're looking for a good, clean, unquestionable example with a good 'pedigree', I'd let it pass.... as difficult as that can be for a collector!

Ron
 
Thanks! And as far as I know there was no explanation presented for the extra holes so I'll skip this one. Indeed, it is sometimes difficult to skip a helmet even if its questionable. However, my wife always functions as my consience in these cases :)

Regards,

Edwin
 
Here's a haube with wholes that seem to have been arsenal moved... story also backed by seller:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/290602373414?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
 
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