GdC

9

911car

Well-known member
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That is super Bruno! Approximately what years were the letters sent? Really cool that it came from Holstein.
 
I forgot something... I also got his framed picture. And I was wrong! He was a Garde Kurassier, not a GdC... shame on me. Written with a pencil on the back of the picture is: Johannes Moeller, Garde Kurassier bei der Kaiser Armee 08/10-12. Berlin, 1912. I do not know if this can be made out on the picture.
Joe, most letters are dated from 1910; some till 1912

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Excellent Bruno, the ID really brings this wonderful old helmet to life again, here's to him :occasion5: Larry
 
OK so I finally got on the right thread here to see pictures. Wow, that is an exceptional find Bruno. Any information on actual war service??? He must have been recalled in 1914 surely. Brian
 
This is an excellent question Brian. He was obviously in age to be drafted in 14... unfortunately I have no answer and I have lost contact with the family. A pity.
Thank you for your appreciation,
Bruno
 
Now, were the soldiers discharged from regular duty shortly before the war recalled to the same units in August 1914? Joe probably knows the answer...
 
Short answer yes. Once the menu regiment was full he could be assigned to a different reserve organization but most probably sent to the main Regiment.
 
Joe,

I have a question about these Garde du Corps helmets for you or anyone else who would like to reply. A few comments up front:

I have read that the strengthening rib on the back of the crown on these helmets was done away with after the Model 1889 except on the officer's helmets. Is this right?

Then, in 1894, the M-91 side posts were added. Also, in 1912, the crown was lowered and formed a closer shape to the head of the wearer. Also correct?

My main questions are: who were the primary manufacturers for the issue Garde du Corps helmets, and when did the rib on the back actually go away? Were some makers still utilizing the rib during manufacture?

I have seen several of these helmets over the last year that had this rib but also had the M-91 side posts. This would surely make them post 1889.

Thanks for your help and happy birthday to all of my fellow U.S. Marines out there.

Semper Fi,

Bryan.
 
Bryan,

I don't know. I would be interested to hear anyone's answer but those are good questions I just don't know the answer to.
 
USMC-EOD said:
// I have read that the strengthening rib on the back of the crown on these helmets was done away with after the Model 1889 except on the officer's helmets. Is this right?
Then, in 1894, the M-91 side posts were added. Also, in 1912, the crown was lowered and formed a closer shape to the head of the wearer. Also correct?
My main questions are: who were the primary manufacturers for the issue Garde du Corps helmets, and when did the rib on the back actually go away? Were some makers still utilizing the rib during manufacture?

I have seen several of these helmets over the last year that had this rib but also had the M-91 side posts. This would surely make them post 1889. //.
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Marine,

I researched all this HERE. The skull being changed applied to the men, in 1889, and that stayed pretty well the same until the M1915. The officer's got very much a more elegant skull in 1912. Any helmet that has the rear raised ridge reinforcement (abandoned in 1889) but has the M1894 chinscale posts, has been upgraded. I have seen an M1862 Kürassier Metalhelme with M94 posts. [CORRECTED: I made a type-error on the date with my sausage fingers]

Two primary manufacturers for the issued GdC and GKR Metalhelme were Junckers and Damaschke.

Wonderful helmet Bruno, being private purchased, is it more of a brass colour than Tombak? Congratulations. Not a common find.
 
Thank you Tony.

I had a feeling that Junkers and Damashke were the two primary manufacturers. I'll look at your site more often with my questions; they are normally resolved there.

The helmet that started this thread is pretty amazing! My experience level in this collecting field is limited, but a Guarde du Corps helmet with known provenance is something I have definitely never seen. Thank you for posting it.

S/F

Bryan.
 
I can confirm everything Tony wrote. Here is another picture side by side with a 1889 model, that clearly shows the difference between skull shapes. The ridge on the older model is actually a separate piece of tombak that has been soldered on the shell.

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And here the 1867 model (this one marked to GdC). Note the higher spike. On this one the ridge appears to have been just hammered out of the shell.
Tony, the first one is actually made of tombak, as seen under the cockades where there is very little patina.
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Thank you Bruno.

I love pictures. They answer a lot of questions. Nice collection of Guarde du Corps/cuirassier helmets covering their lifespan.

The spike and general shape answered another question I had about one of my standard line cuirassier helmets. I found a model 1867 that had been modified with a post 1889 front brim. Your photos told me everything I needed to know. Thank you.

Bryan.
 
What a super find with the history and all! Congrats and enjoyed the conversation about the helmets that followed.

:D Ron
 
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