M15 ersatz

Spiker

Spiker

Well-known member
Hi gents,
Just back from a Militaria show here in Belgium,
When I saw this helmet the first time, I walked on by, thinking it had an Austrian steelhelmet chinstrap,
But the second time I walked by ,I took a closer look and I think this chinstrap is original to the helmet ,the colors of the metal parts all match ,and the fabric is not so rough as the ones on steelhelmets. The stitching and threads are very old (no nylon in the thread) so I think this is genuine.
There are holes punched in the side of the helmet (under the side posts), but they have never been used, I think they were made before they decided to make an M15 out of it.
The leather peace’s who hold the wappen in place, dried out and are stone hard, so I’m not removing the wappen. The washers are the same ones used for mounting the sideposts.
There’s also a name inside of the owner, but I can’t decipher the markings in the neck ,your thoughts?

















 
I was standing right behind you when you bought it... meanig I was just a little bit to late...
Congrats on a wonderful helmet!

Adler
 
Nice helmet!
Should have gone two! It was a bad weather for flea markets and car boot sales today....
 
Adler said:
I was standing right behind you when you bought it... meanig I was just a little bit to late...
Congrats on a wonderful helmet!

Adler
Click to expand...

No kidding! I didn’t see you, next time we should meet. :)
 
The mark in the rectangle seems to be LGR8 , but I’m not sure , it looks like it’s been rubbed upon to erase it, and the big F is running true it as well.
 
-B J A III: Bekleidungs-Instandsetzungs Amt III (III.Armee Korps)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/III_Corps_(German_Empire" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;)
-Garnitur III
-F(eldbrauchbar): ok for use in the "field" after repair.

Francis
 
Very nice! I agree that the chinstrap is original to the helmet, but IMHO not it's original strap, meaning that it looks to me as if the leather one broke and an enterprising sort made one out of scrap fabric. The reason I say this is that the stitching looks uneven, as if I were sewing it on a machine. (correct me if I'm wrong). A trained tailor or seamstress will draw the fabric under the presserfoot evenly and have even, straight stitches. When one pulls and lets up on the fabric you end up with stitches of different lengths that wander around the edges.
All in all, a very nice looking helmet you have found and I agree about the retainers on the wappen, leave them alone. :)

:D Ron
 
Thanks for the nice responses gents,
You could be right Ron, it also shows it was made on a primitive sewing machine, cause the modern type does not require pulling of the fabric.

The lady in the back is probably sewing the liners in the helmets.

 
Very nice! I agree that the chinstrap is original to the helmet, but IMHO not it's original strap, meaning that it looks to me as if the leather one broke and an enterprising sort made one out of scrap fabric. The reason I say this is that the stitching looks uneven, as if I were sewing it on a machine. (correct me if I'm wrong). A trained tailor or seamstress will draw the fabric under the presserfoot evenly and have even, straight stitches. When one pulls and lets up on the fabric you end up with stitches of different lengths that wander around the edges.
Click to expand...

I have to disagree with you Ron... because here's another one that looks exactly the same. I think something like a chinstrap could have been a nice project for beginners (childrens labour was normal in those days)... they had to start with something...

Adler

 
Wow, great helmet Adler! :thumb up:
This takes away any doubt, especially that it is also mounted on the same type of helmet.
It’s actually a very rare ersatz variant of a leather chinstrap. :-"


Adler said:
I have to disagree with you Ron... because here's another one that looks exactly the same. I think something like a chinstrap could have been a nice project for beginners (childrens labour was normal in those days)... they had to start with something...

Adler
Click to expand...
Click to expand...

As a production-team supervisor I can also add that the attention for perfection slips away if one does the same job all day.
 
:study: For those who have the book “Militarische Kopfbedeckungen der Kaiserzeit “ by Herrmann ,there is also an example of this canvas chinstrap on page 77.
 
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