I finally found one!

the stamp BJAXI indicates that at one time it was at the repair depot
so when it leaves the depot they stamp it with two different stamps
either with
f = feldbrauchbar --> could be worn back in the field
g=garnisonsbrauchbar --> only to be worn when not in action or beeing at the garnison

there are double holes that i can see so it is possible that one time the helmet had a different plate on it
so it could be that this is the reason you cant find the exact regiment
could be reissued to a different unit as well to a different state

is the shell leather and both visors in fiber that is correct they made a model like that so the stamp
should be an indication that they changed the plate and send in to the field

i have a helmet that is stamped wit fr 90 (meckleburg) but is wearing a pruisian eagle and the stamp
VII ARMEE CORPS

when i can i wil post that helmet here on the forum to show that helmet that i am mentioning

greets

jonas
 
Jonas,
That makes sense. The stamp next to BJAXI does look more like an "f" than anything else. The photos I posted are a little deceiving. There are no extra holes for a Wappen in this helmet. The holes you see are areas around the grommets that were rotted out due to moisture. The grommets were severely rusted in these areas as well. The grommets are still firmly attached. There was also rust on the Wappen loops in this area. The Wappen fits exactly into the grommets so I would not suspect that this ever had a different plate. The Wappen is held on with twigs, so maybe these holes were created by removing and reinstalling the twigs over time. As mentioned earlier, I will use the twigs again in reassembly.
John
 
can you find any alterations on the haube little sewing holes on the visors or any thing (double holes)
judging the fotos that sewing line on the backvisor is not in one line but a bit zigzag
or do i see that wrong
is there an inprint from the plate into the shell
could be possible there was damage to the visors and they restiched diffrent visors to it
are you sure they are fiber or leather
i love those helmets with a bunch of questions that seem unsolveble
there is a reason the f is there you just have to find that reason

greets

jonas
 
The "f" tells us that the helmet has been reworked. In my opinion, we have an M95 with original brass fittings and grommets which has been converted to M15 grey fittings. The original brass grommets have been popped out and steel ones installed, thus the extra space around those holes. Then we have fibre/cardboard visors which again is a sign of "salvage" and repair. I would bet that as Jonas suggests, there is either evidence of 2 visor stitch lines in the shell, or that larger stitches are present on those visors. Typically, they skipped a hole when restitching or used very coarse natural coloured thread. I do not advise using any type of oil on any haube fitting...one stray drop will stain the leather, over time, it will also penetrate the shellac finish and destroy the leather. If you want to stop further rust, put some clear natural shoe polish...a wax base over the rust to stop it. Petroleum products of any kind do not go with hauben. These are not weapons, we are not dealing with blued steel and wood here. Applying some black shoe polish to brighten up a helmet is ok and I do it all the time after restoration but it is made specifically for "finished" leathers.
 
Jonas,
I cannot really tell if there are extra holes where old stitches might have been. The interior stitching of the helmet looks like most others, lots of thread, holes, stretched, etc. I do believe that the rear neck guard was replaced while the helmet was at the BKA, and you are exactly correct, the stitching on the rear neck guard is crooked (zigzag) at one area near the rear spine. The inside of both the front visor and the rear neck guard are blackened, and the BJAXI stamp is in white paint or ink. I have another M15 that also has a blackened interior (all of it has been blackened), and it has white unit markings and BKA stamp. I was either told or I read someplace that the black interior with white paint meant that the helmet had been serviced or repaired. I don't know if this is true, but it seems believable. The helmet is dry and weighs less than my other M15s but I still believe that the skull is leather. The rear neck guard is definitely fiber and I believe that the front visor is as well. The front visor trim makes it difficult to verify for sure that the visor is fiber. I cannot find any makers marks on this helmet, but there is some old German script on the inside of the skull next to the steel plate supporting the spike base. Very little is left of the pencil script so I doubt that it will ever be deciphered. Model 1915's are a hobby in and of themselves. They have seen the trenches, mud, rain, snow, sweat, and unbelievable hardship. I only have a few leather M15's but they are the hardest to deal with, and often, the hardest to figure out.
You also asked if there was an impression in the helmet where the Wappen was attached, and yes there is. There are impressions at the globe and cross, the scepter, and at the outermost portions of the wings. These impressions match the Wappen perfectly, as if it sat in the same place for a hundred years.
John
 
b.loree,
I agree. The stitches are more coarse than those normally found, and I believe that the helmet has been reworked and put back into service in the field. I'm not sure that I agree that it was an M95 with brass fittings originally. I know that this happened, and the ones that I have seen still retain the brass grommets for the Wappen. Regardless, the reason that I don't think that it was an M1895 is because the liner does not appear to have ever been replaced and it is paper thin. I have only seen a liner this thin on Ersatz and 1915 and later issue. Of course I could be wrong. I'm here for the education.
I wish I had studied this hard when I was in college!
John
 
if you want to be sure that front visor is olso fiber you tamper it or scratch with your nail ,if both make the same noise there fiber
i dont know for sure but in my opinion fiber is 'black or blackend' on both sides as leather is just on one side
therefore those visors are the same color in and out
so on the wappen you wont find your answors becose of the inprint into the leather
fiber is a harder material so finding an inprint of a wappen on it is nearly possible/impossible
did you find out that the BAXI is standing for a pruisian repairdepot
i feel like i am in the skin of sherlock holmes

jonas
 
I had a similar M15 helmet with the F feldbrauchbar stamp it also had the black cardbourd visors and double holes.

DSC00165-001_zpsokivjdxi.jpg


DSC00180-001_zpsden4guzw.jpg


DSC00181-001_zpsnofybmca.jpg
 
pretty funny to see that the stamped it inside the haube rather on the visor
the ones with cardbaord visors ar not easy to find
looks a nice one judging on the pics 'a been there example'

jonas
 
I have an infantry M15 that has an "F" stamped in it as well. The BKA stamp and the "F" are in yellow instead of white. Oddly the stamp in the artillery helmet has an "f" but the others I've seen have a capital "F". The "JR 111" and "1916" can be seen in black inside the shell below. Both the front visor and the rear neck guard on this helmet are leather, and both are black inside and out. Always questions.



This helmet is in the worst shape of any in my collection.

John
 
Here it is. This is the helmet that started this thread, Model 1915 Artillery. I've done all that I am going to do. I hope you like the results.









John :D
 
Great to see this helmet back in its original post you are doing a great job by restoring all your posts so it brigs it all to live again on this site

=D> =D> =D>

Jonas
 
Very nice clean up, excellent results. Makes me wish I never sold my M15 Kugel at the 2016 SOS. Some French man bought it, so it is back in Europe. It was clearly stamped to the Westphalia Arty Regt, no original chin strap though. Oh Well.... :(
 
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