M15 questions

[seagull]

Gentlemen, Thanks for the recent advice on my Hanoverian problem, now I have another helm, reputedly from the same source, which does not seem to conform to examples of the M15 in the few books I have on the subject. The spike is damaged at the very tip, which does not trouble me, but the base plate is pressed out with phony dome bolts - the spike is actually held on the crown by the central 'tube' passing through and being peened over beneath. The peak is brass rimmed (very well) and has a gold lacquer/paint inscription which is almost legible, but not quite -I have scanned the maker listings on this site but cannot find anything compatible and there are no printed or written marks on the liner. There is also a similar large gold number '5' inside the crown, beneath the thin felt pad underneath the liner. Sadly the wappen was missing when I acquired it and I cannot judge my chances of finding a replacement -should it be brass or painted steel? (the original chinstrap has steel fittings).
As always your advice is valued.
Cheers,
Steve

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[joerookery]

Steve,

Read this:
http://www.pickelhauben.net/articles/BKa.htm

Your helmet is perfectly okay -- often known as a kit helmet. Finding a wappen might prove hard.

The maker is well-known and is the same as the one in the example. From Berlin.

 

[poniatowski]

Yes, agreed. I have one in my collection also, the plate has a central loop (wide strap more like) of brass. I was really jazzed when I got it, because it was unusual and pretty cool.

Ron

 

[seagull]

Thank you Joe and Ron for your reassurance, as a mere dilletante at this fine game I was overjoyed to read the article and find proof of its authenticity! I really like this simple little helm, it is in very fine condition overall though I do think the nut and bolt at the base of the rear spine may be non-original - the bolt being overlong- and the liner (though very good) has one tongue ripped out at the back. I have a vague memory of seeing on sale a Prussian wappen equipped with the horizontal mounting 'tube' over twenty years ago - and dismissing it as an abberation! Should have bought it! To borrow Ron's byline for a moment- I really do need to know more about this stuff - and thanks to you I now know 100% more than I did!
My next offering will be an officers Mutze- my only mutze! - where is the best category to post it?
Again, my thanks and best regards to you,
Steve