GRFP 1901 Douamont 1916

b.loree

b.loree

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Staff member
My next project. The before photos:
IMG_4147.jpeg
Problems....both visors need restitch, two dings in the shell, collapsed rotted out top.
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Dammaged spike tip.
IMG_4148.jpeg
Missing visor trim split brad......the helmet has been severely neglected over the decades!
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A unique inscription and some real problems underneath that spike base!
 
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911car said:
Steve, Douaumont was in the Verdun area, and there was a famous fort there that was the site of terrible fights between French and German soldiers in 1916. It is still visible today.
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Bruno
Thanks
I wonder who did that inscription?
It sure is well professionally done
Steve
 
In fact, the capture of Fort Douaumont by a handful of Germans (IR24 and pioneers?) started the battle of Verdun, and recapture by the French 9 months later closed it. Over a million casualties in between... A very symbolic monument. I believe that GR12 was occupying the fort for a while; perhaps the origin of this helmet shown by Brian? Not many of them wore spiked helmets at that time though... German Brandenburg regiments were the main involved in Douaumont capture and occupation.
I have never seen such an inscription either.
 
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911car said:
In fact, the capture of Fort Douaumont by the Germans (IR24?) started the battle of Verdun, and recapture by the French 9 months later closed it. I know that GR12 was occupying the fort for a while; perhaps the origin of this helmet? Not many of them wore spiked helmets at that time though...
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Maybe that helmet is G R 12 ?
I have 2 enlisted helmets from G R 12
the old "FWR " and the wide winged eagle
Steve
 
This is an issued helmet and the rear visor is marked: GRKF 1901 2B on the left and 1913 8C on the right side. The markings as usual are difficult to. read but are there. Photo to be posted tomorrow.
 
Additional photos:
IMG_4162.jpeg
The liner is thin and delicate. Note the use of epoxy glue on the one spike brad. 😐 I had to use my Dremel tool to cut through that! Epoxy was also applied to the corner of the visor. Bits of "desiccated leather" from under the tin spike support are also visible.
IMG_4173.jpeg
😐:( The top must be stabilized before any further work can be done! The small area remaining must not be allowed to break away from the shell. It is going to take a lot of time and effort to get this piece into any sort of "display condition".
 
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Brian, as a last resort one could place the round black 4 hole inner washer plate on the outside of the body as we see in many post-war assembled helmets and an additional one inside forming a sandwich. I’m betting that you can make the patch as I have seen you perform before. I’m looking forward to your progress. I don’t recall how you fill the broken area above the patch.
 
Philippe.....the regimental marks are faint and do not show up well in any photo. I have posted the markings above. I have never seen anything like the Douamont inscription which was obviously professionally done. Someone paid to have that done.
 
argonne said:
For my part, I am very interested to know how the regimental marks are looking like 🤗
I really would like to know what unit it could be and if it will be possible to make somme connection to the engraving "Douaumont-1916".
Philippe
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Philippe
I am with you
as I see this ; here are my thoughts ;
Brian wrote ; This is an issued helmet and the rear visor is marked: GRKF 1901 2B on the left and 1913 8C on the right side.
GRKF ; How about Garde ( or Grenadier )Regt Kaiser Franz ?
should be for GGRKF2
and not with a Grenadier wide winged eagle
but with a Prussian Garde eagle correct for GGRKF2 ?
that's my guess
Steve
 
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