My favorite find of the year

Excellent photo! The JR 115 helmets are among the rarest and most beautiful! I first saw one on the cover of J.L Lacarde vol 1. I never thought that I would ever own an example but decades ago one came into my hands... an RBA 18 version. Congratulations to all of the members here that have shown theirs!
 
For Philippe's benefit, the Eigentum was cleaned by my mother for several years, about every two years.
It looked like the one in the photo. I haven't touched it for about thirty years. At the time, the fittings were uniform. Now, the nickel hasn't changed (nor has the chrome), but the silver has blackened. Hence the now obvious difference in tone between the silver and the nickel, which, as mentioned above, could lead one to believe that it has been reassembled from different parts.
On this subject, the first helmet of the 115R, “white” ones given by the Grand Duke in 1895 were helmet 117R, in brass ones plated with silver. After a few months, the silver plating turned black, as here, and the new ones were made of natural nickel silver, and the plates were at best coated with nickel or Berlin ,white.
We often see the same kind of difference between brass or natural nickel silver fittings and front plates that are gold-plated, nickel-plated, or coated with Berlin white on “Kammer” helmets.
The other RBA18/115JR is consistent, with all fittings of the same quality and finish. This is always the case with RBA18/115 fittings.
 
CLOVIS 57 said:
Hello Pierrick,
Yes, diatribes...always friendly and respectful!!! I feel obliged to show you my two. A pre-war 115 (the RBA being the M15) and a Portepee Eigentum. View attachment 70703View attachment 70702

This one is marked 115 JR. It is an M95 but was reassembled in 1915 with fittings known as “RBA 18.” The bomb was reused, as shown by the old M95 seam and the new M15 seam.
View attachment 70704

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e
View attachment 70706
The highest point and the M71 chin strap scales are nickel-plated.
The star is more pronounced, and the lion, banner, and other trimmings are silver-plated, which is why they oxidize.
The side posts are M91s with a single anti-rotation lug at the rear.
The rear spine has two visible studs, as on officers' helmets. With its openwork crown, this helmet is very similar to an officer's helmet (apart from the cockades and the star of the Order of Louis, which would then be enameled).

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These are great examples, Thierry.
What is the theory behind the absence of M15 versions of Pickelhauben in prestigious regiments such as 109 and 115? Too dear to produce?
 
Good evening Bruno,
Thank you.
Regarding the 115 and 109, which remained in “nickel silver” or “silver-white” metal in 1915, this was simply a decision made by the respective sovereigns to ‘distinguish’ their “Leib-Garde.” At the front, this was of little importance, as the helmet cover also served as camouflage.
When I get a chance, I'll post a “copy” here of the comparison I made on French forums:
***115R M95, in beautiful classic nickel silver,
and
***115/RBA18 M15, in Kriegsmétal, or nickel silver with a lot of zinc, which makes it less shiny and more anthracite.
 
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