SkipperJohn
Well-known member
Some of our members may remember this helmet:
It is a Model 1860, Bremen IR75. I have had it for years (it's my first M60) and it had a newer model 67/71 Wappen.
I just assumed that the helmet was updated with a newer Wappen and retained in service, as so many helmets were.
A comment was made on the forum that this helmet should have the proper Wappen and that has bothered me since.
I never (really Never) modify any helmet that I purchase. I will replace missing parts with originals, but I seldom buy helmets that are missing parts. The only exception to that rule is an occasional M15 that needs a chinstrap and cockades (yes I have a couple of M15's with repro chinstraps, never a cockade though).
Nevertheless I found a Model 1860 Wappen with original handle nuts and I have replaced the Wappen on My 1860 Bremen:
It is the proper M1860 Wappen with straight tail feathers and measuring 120mm from the top of the crown to the bottom of the feathers.
The patina matches the other fittings on the helmet and there was no modification made to the helmet itself. The holes for the screw posts lined up perfectly and the "ghost" left behind from the other Wappen matches the new Wappen exactly. The only issue is a small split in the bandeaux:
This helmet is now 100%, unarguably, a Model 1860 Bremen meeting all of the regulations put forth for an 1860.
The Wappen is proper.
The Kokarde is 57mm and proper for Bremen (Bremen changed their Kokarde in 1897 to white with a red ring)
The helmet is stamped IR75 and dated 1866.
I'm still not sure how I feel about this. It is very hard for me to make a change to one of my helmets.
John
It is a Model 1860, Bremen IR75. I have had it for years (it's my first M60) and it had a newer model 67/71 Wappen.
I just assumed that the helmet was updated with a newer Wappen and retained in service, as so many helmets were.
A comment was made on the forum that this helmet should have the proper Wappen and that has bothered me since.
I never (really Never) modify any helmet that I purchase. I will replace missing parts with originals, but I seldom buy helmets that are missing parts. The only exception to that rule is an occasional M15 that needs a chinstrap and cockades (yes I have a couple of M15's with repro chinstraps, never a cockade though).
Nevertheless I found a Model 1860 Wappen with original handle nuts and I have replaced the Wappen on My 1860 Bremen:
It is the proper M1860 Wappen with straight tail feathers and measuring 120mm from the top of the crown to the bottom of the feathers.
The patina matches the other fittings on the helmet and there was no modification made to the helmet itself. The holes for the screw posts lined up perfectly and the "ghost" left behind from the other Wappen matches the new Wappen exactly. The only issue is a small split in the bandeaux:
This helmet is now 100%, unarguably, a Model 1860 Bremen meeting all of the regulations put forth for an 1860.
The Wappen is proper.
The Kokarde is 57mm and proper for Bremen (Bremen changed their Kokarde in 1897 to white with a red ring)
The helmet is stamped IR75 and dated 1866.
I'm still not sure how I feel about this. It is very hard for me to make a change to one of my helmets.
John