Garde Dragoner M95 Reworked to Bavarian M15

[b.loree]

A customer helmet sent to have the visors re stitched. The shell tells the story of how a damaged M95 Garde Dragoner helmet was repurposed into an M 15 Bavarian. These photos also show how period repairs were done.

The original brass grommets have been removed and leather plugs glued in. The wide spacing of these filled in holes indicates a Garde wappen.

There are 4 plugged holes in the top which indicate a cruciform spike base.

The plugs are backed with glued leather squares cut from a helmet liner. Usually in my experience, they are circular patches but not in this case.

The original. ink regimental markings have been removed. The rim of the shell shows evidence of a partial row of M95 finer stitching. The original Dragoner visors were removed and infantry visors put on in the m15 stitch style which has a wider spacing between the stitch holes

Visors back on showing the typical coarser M15 stitching. This helmet was purchased without it's wappen. There was some discussion as to whether Saxon or Bavarian. You can see the imprint of the Bavarian scroll in the shell finish. This piece was also an American vet bring back. Written in pencil on the shell "Roy G Upton 28 Co 20 Eng. A.E.F.

 

[USN]

Very nice shell! Do you plan on adding the hardware back?

 

[b.loree]

Unfortunately, the front visor trim is gone, I may have a replacement but as I have said before, finding a piece that fits is a total crap shoot. The owner recently scored an M15 wappen off eBay. I have the rear spine but the middle split brad is gone and the end screw post. I will make a new split pin and solder it into the original position. I made this post to show how M 95’s had their brass fittings removed, were converted to M15 configuration and repaired.

 

[JohnS3rd]

Brian,
Thank you for the tutorial on the period repair and reissue of a pickelhaube. It is interesting to see the leather backing of the plugs. In West Berlin many years ago, a friend showed me a Prussian pickelhaube rebuild where holes were filled with a leather plug and left as is. However, on that pickelhaube, you could not identify the plugs from the outside and barely noticeable inside because of how the individual filled the outside and lacquered the helmet. The leather on the inside was well-matched and sanded down to match the inside.
It is interesting to see how repairs were done in the period.
John

 

[JohnS3rd]

A customer helmet sent to have the visors re stitched. The shell tells the story of how a damaged M95 Garde Dragoner helmet was repurposed into an M 15 Bavarian. These photos also show how period repairs were done.

The original brass grommets have been removed and leather plugs glued in. The wide spacing of these filled in holes indicates a Garde wappen.

There are 4 plugged holes in the top which indicate a cruciform spike base.

The plugs are backed with glued leather squares cut from a helmet liner. Usually in my experience, they are circular patches but not in this case.

The original. ink regimental markings have been removed. The rim of the shell shows evidence of a partial row of M95 finer stitching. The original Dragoner visors were removed and infantry visors put on in the m15 stitch style which has a wider spacing between the stitch holes

Visors back on showing the typical coarser M15 stitching. This helmet was purchased without it's wappen. There was some discussion as to whether Saxon or Bavarian. You can see the imprint of the Bavarian scroll in the shell finish. This piece was also an American vet bring back. Written in pencil on the shell "Roy G Upton 28 Co 20 Eng. A.E.F.

Brian
Here is your veteran who brought the helmet home in June 1919

Name:	Roy G Upton
Gender:	Male
Departure Date:	23 Jun 1919
Departure Place:	Brest, France
Arrival Date:	1919
Address:	Box 723
Residence Place:	Brookfield Illinois
Spouse:	Ruth Upton
Ship:	Rhode Island
Military Unit:	28 CO 20TH ENGRS
Rank:	Private First Class
Service Number:	431033
Notes:	28 COMPANY 20TH ENGINEERS (FORESTRY)

 

[b.loree]

Well done John, thank you for this!

 

[JohnS3rd]

Brian,
You are welcome. I really enjoy researching veterans, service. It is always interesting to glimpse into the past and learn about individuals, their units, and service.
Best regards,
John

 

[911car]

An

A customer helmet sent to have the visors re stitched. The shell tells the story of how a damaged M95 Garde Dragoner helmet was repurposed into an M 15 Bavarian. These photos also show how period repairs were done.

The original brass grommets have been removed and leather plugs glued in. The wide spacing of these filled in holes indicates a Garde wappen.

There are 4 plugged holes in the top which indicate a cruciform spike base.

The plugs are backed with glued leather squares cut from a helmet liner. Usually in my experience, they are circular patches but not in this case.

The original. ink regimental markings have been removed. The rim of the shell shows evidence of a partial row of M95 finer stitching. The original Dragoner visors were removed and infantry visors put on in the m15 stitch style which has a wider spacing between the stitch holes

Visors back on showing the typical coarser M15 stitching. This helmet was purchased without it's wappen. There was some discussion as to whether Saxon or Bavarian. You can see the imprint of the Bavarian scroll in the shell finish. This piece was also an American vet bring back. Written in pencil on the shell "Roy G Upton 28 Co 20 Eng. A.E.F.

An interesting reworked item, Brian. It might also have been originally a Chevau-Leger or Artillery Bavarian helmet, especially one with the older plate model that was quite large, and might have left the prints seen on the shell. I was a little surprised that helmets be recycled from the Prussian Garde to the Bavarian army, but perhaps I am wrong and this did happen...