Issue Stamp, Kürassier Regt 1, Pre-1902, for the list

SkipperJohn

SkipperJohn

Well-known member
This is an issue stamp off of a Model 1853/60 Kürassier helmet issued to Kürassier Regiment 1:

YdUrnZw.jpg


The stamp is on the left side of the helmet and can be partially seen when the chin scales are attached.

On the right side of the helmet, under the Kokarde is stamped a "2".

pzHcgRI.jpg


The 2 is lightly stamped and I have no idea what it would mean.

I know there is already a K1 stamp on the list, but here is an additional one, if you are interested.

wfQf1TE.jpg


John :)
 
Thank you John hopefully Joe will grab this and put it on our list. There are so many variations in markings so we need as many as we can get.
 
The K.1. is for the regiment (Kürassier Regt. Nr.1), the 2. is for the squadron, and the 43. is the rack number for the helmet, or the helmet number. I was really hoping that someone could tell me what the "2" under the Kokarde is. Most of the examples that I have seen on various websites and on this forum have either no markings under the Kokarde or a size marking; like "57". I know this helmet is not a size 2, so I am really curious what that marking may indicate.
Joe has the mark to include in the list. I sent it to him directly.

John :)
 
aicusv said:
Did the chin straps come in different sizes or was it one size fits all?.
Click to expand...

That's a good question. Earlier 1843 versions did not use the ball and hook to link the chinstraps together when worn on the visor. Every Model 1853, or later, that I have seen incorporates the ball and hook and all of the chin scales lay at roughly the same place, just below the Wappen. Maybe the number "2" indicates what chin scales this helmet received. I would have to assume that the chin scales came in different sizes.

It sounds like a perfectly reasonable answer!

John :)
 
The chin scales did come in different sizes in my experience. In rebuilding them I use the "number of scales" as my means of measurement. So for example...a "15 scale + end fitting" is a common size. The longest scales I have encountered, were 17 scale plus fitting. Now, if you had a helmet missing one half of the scale set you would count the scales and know what to look for in a replacement. If you really wanted to get "picky" regarding an original replacement you would also take note of what female/male end fittings you have. There were 2 styles of male fittings which have a matching female counterpart. The 2 male styles are "round button" and "T" shapes. The matching females are rounded slot and slot.....these are my own names for them obviously. I will post some pics of this shortly or you can also check your scaled helmets to see what I am talking about.
 
I noticed the the 2 is a different stamp than the one used as part of unit stamp. I would assume that would indicate that they were stamped at different times.
 
I had counted the number of scales to determine size as well. This helmet is a 16 scale. I can find no numbers on the scales themselves.
The largest scale count that I have seen is 18. I have 18's on my Colberg 9th Grenadier shown here:

https://www.pickelhaubes.com/bb/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=11419

Most of my helmets have a 16 count scale.
The scales are much larger on the 1853 Kurassier, measuring 36mm at their widest point, while the Colberg scales are rather thin.

The "2" stamped on this helmet is a much lighter stamping than the unit mark. Initially I thought that it might be an inspector's stamp. I do like the chin scale size idea though.

John :)
 
Is there a helmet size marked on it? If not the 2 may well be a helmet size. It was not uncommon for some armies to take size ranges and group them together and then identify them with a single number. I not sure they still do it, but the US Marine Crops did it with enlisted uniforms. They had sizes 1 through 5. Although in reality the military has only two sizes, too big and too small.
 
aicusv said:
Is there a helmet size marked on it? If not the 2 may well be a helmet size. It was not uncommon for some armies to take size ranges and group them together and then identify them with a single number. I not sure they still do it, but the US Marine Crops did it with enlisted uniforms. They had sizes 1 through 5. Although in reality the military has only two sizes, too big and too small.
Click to expand...

There is no helmet size marked on this helmet, only the "2". I thought that it might be a group size number, but I cannot find any indication that this was ever done by Prussian manufacturers or supply.
I remember our utility uniform sizes were S, M, L, XL, XXL, and You Are On Weight Control!

Semper Fi,
John :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top