Irish M27 Stahlhelm

[Peter B]

Could not resist this piece of history. I knew about these but hadn’t thought of getting one until I saw this one.

Really like it - lots of character.

Cheers.

Peter

 

[Tony without Kaiser]

Nice Peter. These have an interesting history. Does the liner have the leather manufacture marking? I can’t recall, but is Dublin correct?

 

[Zebedeus]

I suppose it might be a vicker's production. Uncommon helmet to find today. I appreciate it.

 

[b.loree]

Very nice Pete, well done!

 

[Peter B]

Nice Peter. These have an interesting history. Does the liner have the leather manufacture marking? I can’t recall, but is Dublin correct?

Yes Tony. Pictures attached.

Peter

 

[Peter B]

I suppose it might be a vicker's production. Uncommon helmet to find today. I appreciate it.

I suppose it might be a vicker's production. Uncommon helmet to find today. I appreciate it.

Yes if you look at the stamp it says V. Ltd., which is Vickers.

Thanks.

Peter

 

[pickelhauben]

Very nice.
Was this post WW1 ?
I thought the WW1 Irish ( German ) helmets were painted white.
Unless I am way off base .

 

[Peter B]

Very nice.
Was this post WW1 ?
I thought the WW1 Irish ( German ) helmets were painted white.
Unless I am way off base .

They were used post World War I from 1927-1939. Some say as a snub to the British, but that is hearsay. When they switched to the Brodie in 1939 most were given over to Civil Defence and painted white. Eventually over 5000 of the 10000 produced were bulldozed into the foundations of a new Army barracks.

Cheers.

Peter

 

[Peter_Suciu]

Very few survived that weren't painted white. What is unique about these helmets is that they were originally painted dark green - and the paint reacted badly with the steel and turned to a very dark color that almost looks black. I've taken my Irish M27 helmet out in the sun and you can see it is actually green.

The other interesting point is that few have badges. My research found that Vickers in the UK made the helmet, but a firm in Dublin made the badges. I have theorized that the prongs didn't match up with the loops on the helmet. Every original helmet with badge (real badge mind you) has appeared to have been filed.

Here is my helmet... you can see the color is almost green.

 

[Peter B]

Very few survived that weren't painted white. What is unique about these helmets is that they were originally painted dark green - and the paint reacted badly with the steel and turned to a very dark color that almost looks black. I've taken my Irish M27 helmet out in the sun and you can see it is actually green.

The other interesting point is that few have badges. My research found that Vickers in the UK made the helmet, but a firm in Dublin made the badges. I have theorized that the prongs didn't match up with the loops on the helmet. Every original helmet with badge (real badge mind you) has appeared to have been filed.

Here is my helmet... you can see the color is almost green.

Very nice helmet Peter. Good information on the badge as well.

I’ll have to take mine out into the sun and see how it looks.

Cheers.

Peter

 

[JohnS3rd]

Interesting history on these helmets. It is nice that you have provided pictures of the markings and insignia Peter & Peter.
Best regards
John