Helmet Plate question

MG34NZ

MG34NZ

Active member
Hi All

I have recently acquired a "project" helmet shell, it is an 1895 pattern stripped of all its fittings and liner. There is some work to do on the shell which I hope I can save. My question is can anyone advise what helmet plate I may need as it s not Prussian (or I don't believe it to be) the brass grommets are spaced at 50 mm centers (2"). Also let me know if you have any spare fittings in brass, shell looks like around 55cm size.

Any advice much appreciated
Regards
Andrew
 
Thanks Leone, I will see if I can find one. The shell has some markings I will have a look and see if I can get decent pics over the weekend
 
This is a pretty friendly place. A guy from Latvia and a guy from New Zealand. Simple question, simple answer. What a wonderful world this can be.
:bravo:
 
Are there any marks or stamps on the inside of the shell? Also, remember that size matters. The rear spine and front visor trim come in different sizes to match the size of the shell. Good luck.
 
joerookery said:
This is a pretty friendly place. A guy from Latvia and a guy from New Zealand. Simple question, simple answer. What a wonderful world this can be.
:bravo:
Click to expand...

Yes, and I have a dream to make travel at Australia and New Zealand, and I guess collectors from New Zealand probably would wish to visit 1WW battle places what I have near my town. :)
 
Leone said:
Yes, and I have a dream to make travel at Australia and New Zealand, and I guess collectors from New Zealand probably would wish to visit 1WW battle places what I have near my town. :)
Click to expand...

If you come to Melbourne, get in touch and I will arrange for you to visit me and my collection! :thumb up:
 
glenn66 said:
Leone said:
Yes, and I have a dream to make travel at Australia and New Zealand, and I guess collectors from New Zealand probably would wish to visit 1WW battle places what I have near my town. :)
Click to expand...

If you come to Melbourne, get in touch and I will arrange for you to visit me and my collection! :thumb up:
Click to expand...

:thumb up: Thank you Glenn.
 
Leone said:
joerookery said:
This is a pretty friendly place. A guy from Latvia and a guy from New Zealand. Simple question, simple answer. What a wonderful world this can be.
:bravo:
Click to expand...

Yes, and I have a dream to make travel at Australia and New Zealand, and I guess collectors from New Zealand probably would wish to visit 1WW battle places what I have near my town. :)
Click to expand...

You would be more than welcome to visit if you ever came to Taranaki, I would be more than happy to share some Kiwi hospitality with fellow collectors. And indeed Latvia would be a fascinating place to visit Im sure.

As Joe stated this forum is friendly and the membership is happy to help and share knowledge, it is a pleasure to associate with such gentlemen and you are all a credit to pickelhaubes.com.
 
Hi Guys
These are the markings in the helmet.The MG marking is what made me buy the helmet, I like MG related items and could not resist the MG marked helmet shell even if it is is bad condition. I would very much like to be able to restore this helmet.
Any insight into what the markings indicate would be appreciated. One looks like a regimental marking

IMG_6061%20photo%20bucket_1.jpg
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"2RIR3B" Could indicate '2nd Regiment Infanterie Reserve, 3rd Battalion'.
"MG" - 'Maschinengewehr' possibly? So maybe he was a soldier from the Machine Gun detachment of this regiment.

"2B" - '2nd Bavarian or 2nd Brigade' perhaps and I think you got the date "1913" there too?

Not sure at all about the stamps on the rear of the helmet - another date stamp maybe?

I'm only guessing on this info but that's an interesting helmet you have there for sure!!
 
That is what I see also Mike. Andrew sent me some pics of this earlier this week. My apologies for not getting back to you, busy here with grandchildren. from what I see Andrew, I would take both visors off first using an exacto knife. The front visor especially needs reshaping/blocking as it is curled under. Both visors need to be wet using water, not softened water which has salt added to it. I have detailed the wetting process in a post today in the Restoration section...General's Helmet #2. The same has to be done with the shell as it has collapsed. Pull the liner fingers up and out, wet the entire rim of the shell using folded strips of soaked paper towel. Let this soak until the leather is very pliable. Then cut strips of plastic bag, place this around the shell by pulling the liner fingers back into position ie between fingers and shell. This stops finger from sticking to the shell which could tear them. Next you need a styrofoam head to block the shell. Cover it with plastic bag before putting it on. The shell will stick if you don't. Block the shell, if the top is depressed, wet it too and push it down so the head pushes the top into place. Let this dry for at least a week. Andrew please allow Col Joe to copy those markings for our collection. Email me again with any questions. As has been said, the tricky fittings are the spine and visor trim. You could have a dozen of each and still have no fit. Good luck.
 
Thank you guys,

I appreciate your input and Brian I will follow your invaluable advice

Joe is more than welcome to use the images if he so desires, his data base is an asset to all.

Regards
Andrew
 
What is the last digit on that mark? 2RIR3? this shell has been around. I think Mike is right on the date. But I see another date which I think is 1902. But I think this is second Battalion RJR 3? There is another marking to third battalion. I would guess – that was in an active machine gun company of some sort in 1913 and then given to a reserve unit.
 
http://www.ebay.fr/itm/Casque-a-pointe-Plaque-baviere-1896-Pickelhaube-Spike-helmet-/262753032619?hash=item3d2d4d19ab:g:LJcAAOSw5cNYSHl5" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

and one more
http://www.ebay.fr/itm/Casque-a-pointe-Plaque-baviere-1896-Pickelhaube-Spike-helmet-/262733328549?hash=item3d2c2070a5:g:Kj8AAOSw5cNYN1Yz" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
 
joerookery said:
What is the last digit on that mark? 2RIR3? this shell has been around. I think Mike is right on the date. But I see another date which I think is 1902. But I think this is second Battalion RJR 3? There is another marking to third battalion. I would guess – that was in an active machine gun company of some sort in 1913 and then given to a reserve unit.
Click to expand...

Hi Joe, it looks a lot like 3RIR3R, at a stretch it could be 3RIR3B or even 3RI33B?

other marking at rear could be 18JP 1902

Andrew
 
Leone said:
http://www.ebay.fr/itm/Casque-a-pointe-Plaque-baviere-1896-Pickelhaube-Spike-helmet-/262753032619?hash=item3d2d4d19ab:g:LJcAAOSw5cNYSHl5

and one more
http://www.ebay.fr/itm/Casque-a-pointe-Plaque-baviere-1896-Pickelhaube-Spike-helmet-/262733328549?hash=item3d2c2070a5:g:Kj8AAOSw5cNYN1Yz" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Click to expand...

:thumb up: Thank you Leone
 
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