Helmet Plate question

I feel that it has to be "2RIR3B" as nothing else would make much sense. The first character is definitely a "2", and then "RI". Dunno why they couldn't have made things more clear back then - surely they knew these things would become highly collectable in the future? ;-)
 
I feel that it has to be "2RIR3B" as nothing else would make much sense. The first character is definitely a "2", and then "RI". Dunno why they couldn't have made things more clear back then - surely they knew these things would become highly collectable in the future? ;-)

I have looked and Im sure you are correct, as clear as the stamping is int is still a little hard to decipher. I agree how could they not know that these helmets would create such a lot of interest in the future!
 
I agree how could they not know that these helmets would create such a lot of interest in the future!
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Especially such a pristine example!

Assuming you two are right- that would probably make this: 2RIR3B- Infanterie-Regiment von Goeben (2. Rheinisches) third Battalion. The way that it is etched in indicates it is pretty old before there were any reserve infantry regiments. That is about as solid as peanut brittle but it does fit.
 

Especially such a pristine example!

Assuming you two are right- that would probably make this: 2RIR3B- Infanterie-Regiment von Goeben (2. Rheinisches) third Battalion. The way that it is etched in indicates it is pretty old before there were any reserve infantry regiments. That is about as solid as peanut brittle but it does fit.
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Thanks for the info Joe, and I pleased you appreciate the fine condition of this helmet, undoubtadly one of the best I own :lol: I have a couple more in even "better" shape than this one that will be retained as examples of what happens to these helmets when neglected.
I have the shell sitting on a head form in an effort to reshape it and hope to kit it out with all the missing parts as funds allow. The wappen suggested by Leone will be on its way to NZ soon and a spike has been located due to the willingness of the members of this forum to help a fellow collector.
The reason I am making an effort to restore this one is due to the MG marking, I have a passion for MG related items.

Andrew
 
A lot of work but that probably could be brought back to life .

It probably would be better with out the liner ( as is ) so as to see the MG markings.
 
pickelhauben said:
A lot of work but that probably could be brought back to life .
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The main problem I always find is the visor trim. They never fit properly and you can go through loads of 'em trying to find one that's close.
 
Personal belief: I have a couple of helmets that the front trim doesn't fit correctly on and they are all original. I think that the leather of the front visors are more incline to noticeable shrinkage over the years. This results in the guard not fitting or making it hard to find a replacement that fits.
 
glenn66 said:
Can I ask how you came across this helmet, Andrew?

Second hand shop or auction maybe?
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Hi Glenn

I found this on another forum along with two others in worse condition, I would have hardly given them a second look if I had not spotted the MG marking. They came from a seller in France.

Andrew
 
Thank you. I always hope when a Pickelhaube shows up in AUS/NZ that there is an interesting bringback story attached to it.
 
glenn66 said:
Thank you. I always hope when a Pickelhaube shows up in AUS/NZ that there is an interesting bringback story attached to it.
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No such luck with this one and most of the family items I have encountered often come with an interoperation of the "story" behind it as sadly the truth has most often been lost over time.
Had a look at one about a year ago that was named to the guy that brought it back to NZ, a lady walked into a gun show with it, it had been her uncles and the family had it "professionally" restored. As far as a collector would be concerned what was once a nice original helmet was ruined but the family members were happy with their preserved heirloom so that is all that matters for them and I felt it was great to see it retained by the family and appreciated.

I have one old Prussian M1895, rather sad condition but given to me buy an old friend that could remember his brother arriving home in 1919 and sitting at the kitchen table on the farm he then reached into his kit bag to pull out a squashed Pickelhaube and passed it over to his 9 or 10 year old brother and saying "here boy, I bought this back from the war for you", I treasure that helmet, I was given it a few months before the owner passed away and that was around 30 years ago.
 
pickelhauben said:
A lot of work but that probably could be brought back to life .

It probably would be better with out the liner ( as is ) so as to see the MG markings.
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I agree with this. To me, it looks like a fun project.

:D Ron
 
I've been out of the loop here for a long time now but ever since the subject of this helmet came up something has been bugging me. Well today I suddenly recalled the fact that MG troops usually wore the Shako - am I right ? But then I thought 'Hang on, this is a Bavarian unit and Bavaria always did things different'.... so maybe Bavarian MG troops wore the Pickelhaube - just to be different? So did they? They must have - this helmet says so. I need to get my books out again soon...... 8-[
 
The independent MG Abt. I believe did wear the Shako, but what about the Regimental MG companies. Wouldn't they wear the same as the rest of the regiment?
 
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