skelts1974
New member
Hi,
So this is my latest project. I had actually planned to hold off helmets for the next year as my wife and I are doing IVF. Unfortunately I still keep my finger on the pulse and regularly search a range of sites including online Auction sites. A few weeks ago I came across this helmet for sale on such a site in the UK.
First glance had me thinking it was a fake. However, the more I looked at the more I felt that I should take a risk. Unfortunately there were only three photos of the helmet and these did not reveal much of the detail I was chasing such as makers mark. There was also no detailed information on the auction listing. The photos did reveal some obvious issues with the helmet starting with the chin scales, the mounting posts, the JzP spike and the abysmal attempt at a liner. Despite these issues I took a gamble and ended up paying about $300 Aus plus postage.
The helmet arrived in America yesterday - at Cameron Laughlin's. His initial review of the helmet (including removal of the liner) has indicated the presence of a manufacture date of 1916 with a helmet size stamp of 52. Further details are covered with a thick spread of contact cement. But I expect to see some details of a makers mark.
The shell is in good condition with a layer of light rust. The grey paint had been mainly removed from the wappen, which actually appears original to the helmet. The mounting lugs for the chin scales have actually been painted gold - you can see it having been worn off in some photos. I know some will also take issue to the spike, but I have to wonder if this is not also original - a wartime ersatz replacement? I have done a search on the internet and it is surprising the number of M1915 Kuirassier helmets which have JzP spikes. This might be an interesting point of discussion.
So here is the plan. Strip the shell of rust and polish. Clean all parts and repaint the inside of the shell. Replacement chin strap (correct wartime ORs variant of course) as well as kokardes. I am not going to have the wappen or the spike and base repainted grey at this stage, but will have the mounting lugs stripped and repainted.
The plan is to add additional photos as we progress.
Hope you like. I welcome positive comments.
Regards
Steve
So this is my latest project. I had actually planned to hold off helmets for the next year as my wife and I are doing IVF. Unfortunately I still keep my finger on the pulse and regularly search a range of sites including online Auction sites. A few weeks ago I came across this helmet for sale on such a site in the UK.
First glance had me thinking it was a fake. However, the more I looked at the more I felt that I should take a risk. Unfortunately there were only three photos of the helmet and these did not reveal much of the detail I was chasing such as makers mark. There was also no detailed information on the auction listing. The photos did reveal some obvious issues with the helmet starting with the chin scales, the mounting posts, the JzP spike and the abysmal attempt at a liner. Despite these issues I took a gamble and ended up paying about $300 Aus plus postage.
The helmet arrived in America yesterday - at Cameron Laughlin's. His initial review of the helmet (including removal of the liner) has indicated the presence of a manufacture date of 1916 with a helmet size stamp of 52. Further details are covered with a thick spread of contact cement. But I expect to see some details of a makers mark.
The shell is in good condition with a layer of light rust. The grey paint had been mainly removed from the wappen, which actually appears original to the helmet. The mounting lugs for the chin scales have actually been painted gold - you can see it having been worn off in some photos. I know some will also take issue to the spike, but I have to wonder if this is not also original - a wartime ersatz replacement? I have done a search on the internet and it is surprising the number of M1915 Kuirassier helmets which have JzP spikes. This might be an interesting point of discussion.
So here is the plan. Strip the shell of rust and polish. Clean all parts and repaint the inside of the shell. Replacement chin strap (correct wartime ORs variant of course) as well as kokardes. I am not going to have the wappen or the spike and base repainted grey at this stage, but will have the mounting lugs stripped and repainted.
The plan is to add additional photos as we progress.
Hope you like. I welcome positive comments.
Regards
Steve