Kraftfahrer Battalion M95

[gino1]

Hello, I would say that it is beautiful sewing work, but you need the patience of an angel and certainly the knowledge, the sewing thread is also important, unfortunately you live on the other side of the world, because I think I would have some work for you and not only me,

greetings gino

 

[J.LeBrasseur]

Wow, Many thanks Brian for another exhibit of fabulous and patient workmanship with your amazing skills! Thanks for doing work!

I probably have a piece of neusilber visor trim which I could send down to you. Do you have your cutters with you? I totally forgot to send you a replacement piece when I mailed the helmet to you. Shall I send you a new visor trim piece to you?

Thanks again for your amazing workmanship!

Best Wishes,

Alan

Alan- bring the silver trim to SOS, I can then take it to Brian as I will see him in Florida and I am bringing him some stuff. this way can save on shipping.

James

 

[CLOVIS 57]

Hello, great work!

Just FYI, the leather patches on the back should be larger and are usually square-shaped to adhere well to the shell.

Regarding the break in the metal edge of the visor, I have two or three period repairs, which consist of a staple to join the two pieces. You simply drill through both sides and then pass a brass wire through, folding it back.
This allows you to keep the original trim. However, be aware that not all the trim pieces were interchangeable. They weren't all the same length, nor did they all have the same curvature. Furthermore, removing and refitting the rivets risks breaking one or more of the mounting tabs, and in that case, repair will be difficult. The small visor rivets are impossible to find as spare parts, especially in nickel silver.

 

[ww1czechlegion]

I have actually seen different shaped patches over the years which are not clipped corner square shaped like what you have so nicely shared with us in your photo.

As a side note, this photo showing the patch also running through the newer metal grommet is the first example I have seen with the leather also running through the metal grommet hole area. Very interesting! All the helmets which I have seen over the years with patched original holes were aside and separate from the area where the newer grommeted hole was placed in the helmet.

I will try to take a photo of my M15 Hessen helmet, which I seem to recall looks different with the two patches. The other arsenal re-work helmets which I found over the years I have long ago sold, and I am not able to provide photos of them here to share with everyone.

I am well aware that different sized helmets used different sized visor trim. I have experienced this firsthand. I have a supply of neusilber visor trim on hand from my experience of finally finding an example that fit a helmet that I needed one for. I also have a supply of nickel silver visor rivets, due to this process of acquiring several visor trim pieces. The curvature of the visor trim varies as well, according to helmet size.

 

[b.loree]

My thanks for all the comments and as usual I have learned some new things. I have never seen a stapled piece of visor trim before, that is "new" for me! As to the size and shape/colour of patches, I know that they are black and can be square. However, I was trying for a neater job, more precise than just gluing on a square/rectangle which is much easier than a small circle. I am also not at home now so I don't have access to black leather dye.
Regarding trim, especially neusilber I have found replacements in the past. You have to rely on your collector friends, "this community". We all love these helmets, otherwise why would we spend so much money on them ?? I have reached out to many members here in the past including Alan and they have come through for me. We all know the satisfaction of finding that missing piece and completing a helmet.