M15 Dragoon

[USN]

Good Morning Gentlemen,

I recently picked this up off of ebay and now that my family has it they were able to send me a few good photos. It is and seems to have always been an M15 dragoon helmet with the proper spine and spike base but at some point the visor had either been cut to fit a round visor or the visor was replaced at a depot. You can see the stitching is old and tight to the helmet so I'd love to hear some people's thoughts on this one. All the hardware minus the visor trim matches as well, even the studs appear to have been painted the same color as the spike. If anyone happens to have a wappen that would match the spike id be very interested in it.

Thank you,
USN

 

[Peter B]

Good Morning Gentlemen,

I recently picked this up off of ebay and now that my family has it they were able to send me a few good photos. It is and seems to have always been an M15 dragoon helmet with the proper spine and spike base but at some point the visor had either been cut to fit a round visor or the visor was replaced at a depot. You can see the stitching is old and tight to the helmet so I'd love to hear some people's thoughts on this one. All the hardware minus the visor trim matches as well, even the studs appear to have been painted the same color as the spike. If anyone happens to have a wappen that would match the spike id be very interested in it.

Thank you,
USN

No pictures here yet.

 

[CLOVIS 57]

Still no photo.

 

[Rkinkade]

Also waiting for photos, but I’m pretty sure I recall it being on eBay; I was an under-bidder. I questioned the rounded visor, but as you say, all else looked correct. One of my M15 Prussian dragoon helmets has the same brownish grey colored fittings. My opinion on the visor is that the original was damaged during the war, and the regimental repair shop replaced it with what they had available, a rounded one. That is assuming the stitching all looksperiod done. When you have it in hand, you should be able to tell.

Ron

 

[CLOVIS 57]

I agree with Ron, but it’s important to note that the Ersatz Battalions of the D.R., especially when they were “on foot” in the trenches, wore infantry helmets.
That’s why it’s interesting to look at the detailed photos.
Here is a photo of Dragons on foot, from an Ersatz Squadron of DR13, garnison in Metz (Lorraine) in the front line;



Another one from DR7. Only the leather M94 helmets are regulation; the felt ones are “infantry” models.