Jaeger zu Pferde helmet w/provenance from WW1 US Officer

ww1czechlegion

ww1czechlegion

Well-known member
Hello,

Here's an enlisted pattern Jaeger zu Pferde helmet with original WW1 Letter of Provenance from the WW1 US Officer who brought this helmet back to the States. Helmet was recently acquired directly from the family/descendants of the WW1 Lieutenant. Helmets with direct provenance of acquisition from a WW1 veteran are almost impossible to find.

Included with the helmet is an original Letter written by the US Lieutenant to his Sweetheart, on YMCA stationary, where he talks about acquiring 2-Boche "Officer" Helmets that he purchased from French Soldiers shortly after the war ended for $15. Obviously to collectors this is not an "officer" helmet, but an enlisted pattern helmet. We all know how many soldiers back then incorrectly thought that their German helmets were "officer" rank helmets. Also included with the helmet is an official Rank appointment certificate dated post war.

Best Regards,

Alan











































 
Great piece. $15 was a lot of money in 1918, it was a months pay for a private. The average US house hold spent $150 per year on food and ran about $350 to run a house hold. Ford was paying his workers $5 per day and that was twice the national average.

If you paid less than a month's pay for the helmet you got a deal. :D
 
Very nice to stil find something original with sutch a letter beloning to it
Makes a fine upgrade to the helmet in my opinion

Well done in finding this one

Jonas
 
That is a nice story and it goes with a nice piece. There is a saying, "buy the item, not the story," but this time the story and item truly go hand in hand!
 
and it can be yours ...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Jaeger-zu-Pferde-Helmet-with-Orig-WW1-Letter-of-Provenance-from-WW1-US-Officer-/152313644556?hash=item237699c60c:g:lAUAAOSw4GVYJSdg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
 
This is quite a find, Alan! Hints to history always decuple the attraction of these things.
Congratulations.
 
A great find Alan, well done! Good luck on your auction and thank you for the mention of this forum in your listing.
 
Thanks for your nice comments gentlemen, I appreciate it very much!

Here are a couple of photos that show the other helmet the WW1 Veteran purchased from the French soldiers, and a number "8" Regiment field cover for an enlisted man's helmet. The cover did not match the unit markings inside the Prussian enlisted man's helmet.

The enlisted Prussian leather helmet has incorrect curved/mounted troops chinscales that are also too big for the helmet, and it had an incorrect well-worn Bavarian enlisted pattern kokarde on the helmet as well. The markings inside the Prussian helmet were discussed here: http://www.pickelhaubes.com/bb/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=10846" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Best Regards,

Alan



 
I imagine French troops were "cobbling" together helmets in order to boost sales to American troops willing to pay for souvenirs.
 
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