Filz Pickelhauben

[Wyliecoyote]

Recently I have been going thru some photos I have collected, and I realized that of the several I have of soldiers wearing Filz helmets, all are undated, with the exception of one that has a sign that says," Feldzug 1914 -15".

Not long ago in another thread one of the forum members brought up that Filz (felt) and the other ersatz spiked helmets were issued mainly between September 1914 and January 1915. And that by March 1915 the demand for helmets had been met and the production of ersatz helmets ceased.

Now I am wondering how long the felt helmets remained in circulation. So I would like to ask everyone if they could participate in a little exercise here? If you have photos that are dated of soldiers wearing felt helmets, if you could please post the dates here in this thread, and we all can get an idea of how long they remained in use. Ofcoarse will we never come up with a definitive answer, but it should prove interesting none the less.

Geo

 

[Tony without Kaiser]

//And that by March 1915 the demand for helmets had been met and the production of ersatz helmets ceased.//

George, the very fact that half the Ersatz hemets found today, have M15 grey fittings, disputes that "end March cease production" statement. The M1915 pattern was not introduced until 28 June 1915, with Bayern (Bavaria) also adopting the pattern on 11 Nov 1915. For both of these dates, helmets did not magically show up the next day, it must have taken months for the conversion from silver/brass to ramp up to grey steel. I see no reason why these felt Ersatz helmets were not still being made well into 1916, perhaps later.

The problem with photos, is that I may find a photo of someone wearing a felt Ersatz dated 1918...... but when was the helmet made?? But as you said, it would be interesting to see how late they were in use. For photos not dated, look for men wearing M15 Bluse. As those can date a photo past 21 September 1915 for eveyone except Bayern (Bavaria) who did not adopt the Bluse until 31 March 1916,

 

[Wyliecoyote]

the very fact that half the Ersatz hemets found today, have M15 grey fittings, disputes that "end March cease production" statement

it must have taken months for the conversion from silver/brass to ramp up to grey steel. I see no reason why these felt Ersatz helmets were not still being made well into 1916, perhaps later.

Two very good points, the first of which did no occur to me earlier. That's why it is good to ask questions. I suppose that is why Grasshopper still tries to grasp the pebble from your hand Master T!

How long the felt helmets remained in circulation is the focus of this exercise. Once again, I would like to ask everyone if they could participate by posting the dates on photos of soldiers wearing felt helmets, shedding some light on how long they remained in use. Ofcoarse will we never come up with a definitive answer, but it should prove interesting none the less.

 

[Wyliecoyote]

OK, here is the first entry on this list: photo of a Prussian w/ Filzhelm, at his feet is a sign reading " Feldzug 1914 - 15".



photo of a Prussian NCO w/ Filzhelm, who has a S98/05nA bayonet fixed on his rifle. The new style or neuer Art 98/05 started production in late September 1915 and by early October 1915 most factories should have been in full production. Therefore the first date of sorts is post- October 1915.