Hessen New Year

[Lost Skeleton]

Thus far, 2008 has unveiled Tony's spectacular Hessen L.I.R. 115 helmet and JR92's equally impressive Württemberg M15 Dragoner. My contribution combines both these elements in a Hessen Reserve Leib Dragoner (Kaiser Nicol II. v Rußland. 2. Großherzogl. Hess. Nr 24 Darmstadt) Filzhelm.

The spike base is threaded to facilitate the fitting of a parade Trichter.

The spike neck rotates to open and close the ventilation holes. The customary Dragoner Other Ranks "egg" pearlring is not found on Hessen helmets.

Open:

Closed:

The interior features a black leather liner and cruciform support plate.

Need to customize the fit of your helmet? How about this tried and true method: newsprint. Note the map showing Paris and Versailles.

One extra hole is present. It must have been an off day at Firma L. Schmidt-Bauch.

A helmet manufactured in Darmstadt for a Darmstadt Regiment: Note the words, Orden and Kronprinz, in the newspaper.

From good friend R1, I was able to accessorize the Filzhelm with a 24 D.R. Reservist Stein. Prosit!

Chas.

 

[Wyliecoyote]

Chas

Sweet filz!

Hope I don't draw fire too quickly, wouldn't a brass cross denote Landwehr? Please help my edgemacation!

Geo

 

[Jerry Rehr]

Chas; Very nice. Just when you seen some of the best up pops another!! This helmet doesnt apear tho have had a cover on it . What are youre thoughts on this? My fliz helmet all have an indication of a former cover. Come to think of it they all do save one M-15. The cross type/color(in my opinion ) at this stage of the war on this type helmet is speculation at best. All the Best. Jerry

 

[Lost Skeleton]

Hello George and Jerry:

It doesn't appear to me that an Überzug was used with this helmet. As a general rule, the composition of the Reserve Kreuz is nothing more complicated than silver Wappen = gilt/brass cross while gilt/brass Wappen = silver cross.

Chas.

 

[b.loree]

A fantastic piece Chas...congrats!! Brian

 

[911car]

Congratulations Chas! Beautiful helmet! I recently purchased a JR115 helmet that is also made of felt and, of course, bears resemblance with yours (I am sure you had seen it...). Unfortunately I cannot download pictures on the forum...
Bruno

 

[Tony without Kaiser]

I recently purchased a JR115 helmet that is also made of felt and, of course, bears resemblance with yours (I am sure you had seen it...). Unfortunately I cannot download pictures on the forum...
Bruno

I can! (If you send them Bruno, could you try and keep it under 1 MB per photo?)

And Chas, that is just an obscene helmet. Incredible! Coming with the correct silver chinscales is very fortuitous indeed! (today is Wednesday, AKA 'big word' day)

 

[Tony without Kaiser]

// I recently purchased a JR115 helmet that is also made of felt and, of course, bears resemblance with yours (I am sure you had seen it...).

Here is Bruno's Filz LIR115.