Line Kurassier Officer Helmet for Restoration

ww1czechlegion

ww1czechlegion

Well-known member
Hello,

I just acquired 2-Kurassier Officer Helmets. I'll do a separate posting for each helmet. These came via auction from a county historical association museum here in the Midwest. I spoke with the director of the museum today, and he confirmed the information with me. Apparently these helmets were recently deacessioned by the museum. They had been found in storage in wooden boxes (possibly in a basement with poor humidity control) as evidenced by the rust on the helmet shells, and dryness of the leather liners.

The photos I am posting were taken by the auction house. I couldn't wait to get them by mail, and decided to drive the 560 mile round trip to pick them up in person on Wednesday.

This Line Kurassier Regiment Officer Helmet is an excellent candidate for restoration. I need to get the dents pulled out by someone competent, and find a nice set of cavalry chinscales to replace the broken set on the helmet. The most serious denting is on the front visor.

The spike is non-removeable, and has a closeable ventilator in the neck of the spike. Looks like a lot of the gilding is still on the correct mounted troops line eagle. Leather sweatband has split in several places in the forehead area, but at least it is all there. Brown color velvet lining on underside of back visor. No evidence of any lining on underside of front visor.

I look forward to your insights and suggestions.

Best Regards,

Alan

























 
Regarding restoration, the best metal helmet restorer is Cameron Laughlin. They have a web site where you can contact them. A couple of members have had work done on metal helmets and have been very pleased with their work.
 
Thanks for your comments James & Brian!

The first thing I see, is that it has the so called NCO kokarden on it with 2 ridges not 3 as per officer.
Click to expand...

Great observation Brian, you're correct! Thanks for catching that, I had missed that point!

Best Regards,

Alan
 
The first thing I see, is that it has the so called NCO kokarden on it with 2 ridges not 3 as per officer.
Click to expand...

Be careful here. These larger cockades did not follow all the rules of the infantry ones.... Always exceptions.
 
joerookery said:
The first thing I see, is that it has the so called NCO kokarden on it with 2 ridges not 3 as per officer.
Click to expand...

Be careful here. These larger cockades did not follow all the rules of the infantry ones.... Always exceptions.
Click to expand...

Correct. These are standard Kurassier officer cockades. Most of the ones you see with the three ridges like on a standard officer's cockade are fake, although there were originals of that type. To be an NCO's cockade, the lines on it would have to be at an angle rather than radiating out perfectly from the centre.
 
Obviously from my comment, I had no idea either. Tony S was quick to correct me via email. I never stop learning about these helmets.
 
Hi Brian,

I had obviously forgotten as well that these are the correct officer kokarden. Thanks Arran for reminding us! :thumb up:

The older ? Franco-Prussian 2nd Kurassier helmet has the single Prussian kokarde with a separate raised silver ring that has the ridges angled as Arran mentions. The raised silver ring is entirely different on that helmet as compared to the ones on this helmet.

I used to have one of these in really nice condition with the carry case. Of all the helmets I haven't kept over the years, I've always been sorry that I sold that one. It came to me second hand from a couple who had purchased it at an old farm sale back in the late 1980's. They brought it in to a motel room buy where I acquired it. I was robbed in 1992, and ended up selling it, along with most of my old collection within a few months after the robbery.

I sort of feel like I got a "second chance" in life by finding this one. Even though this one is night and day different from being as nice as my old one was, I look forward to having this one fixed up and keeping it. :D I was very lucky to stumble onto it and buy it.

Best Regards,

Alan
 
Yes Alan, a little TLC and it will turn out amazing. I have only owned the M15 JzP and Kurassier helmets....never an officer helmet so I knew nothing about the kokarden.
 
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