Helmet Stamp Question

I

Irish Teamster

New member
I tried to find this stamp in multiple places but no luck. Perhaps some of you can help identify this unit stamp. Ersatz? This is from a M1915 issue helmet.

5. I. A. VII
E. A. XV
1916

5462f8df.jpg
 
Could the E be part of an R or B? To me, there should be a letter between the E and A.... 'Eisen' 'Bahn' 'Artillery'... armored trains? How's that for a guess from Mars?

I'm with you on this one.

:D Ron
 
Ron don't sell yourself short. Good train of thought.

I think you have 2 different marks. The easy one is the one on top B.I.A. VII Bekleidungs Instandsetzung (repair unit) VII Corps. I believe this is the last one added. The lower mark from 1916 he could be one of many things. Unfortunately, I cannot read what ever markings exist between the E and the A. The XV obviously means it is part of XV Corps that originally issued the helmet. I do not think it is a regular BA Mark from XV Corps. I think rather that it is an Army Corps level unit. The letter A could well stand for Abteilung, a rather tricky word that translates both to Battalion or section depending upon the unit or branch. The 1st letter-E-I would think stands for Ersatz which translates roughly as replacement. What is in between could be any number of things. This is just an opinion. Any kind of holes poked in this are fair. Is the helmet artillery?
 
This particular helmet has the spike. The kokarden were missing as well. I didn't see any other markings in the liner or the crown of the interior although it might of been stamped before. There is an area that looks to be roughted up (scraped) on the opposite side of the neck guard. The plate is the typical line Prussian steel.
 
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