Itz_NCR
Member
I picked up this ersatz M15 for $340. The chinstrap is def a repro however. I love the look of these things and I'm excited to have finnaly placed one into my collection.
My first felt picklehaube!
- Thread starter Itz_NCR
- Start date
Kaiser Wilhelm II
Well-known member
Looks decent overall, but to my eye, the Wappen is definitely a replacement, because of the difference in patina, colour etc.
I'm not too sure on the cockades either, but I cannot speak for them.
It seems like a solid helmet overall.
I'm not too sure on the cockades either, but I cannot speak for them.
It seems like a solid helmet overall.
Itz_NCR
Member
Yeah I see what you mean on the wappen. The cockades from the seller Pics under them there is some rusting( not sure if that helps). Do you think I should seek a wappen that's of similar color for it? Or leave it be
Cockades are also copies, but the felt is intact, not torn, which is a very good point. The hat deserves some reshaping on a millinery block and addition of period cockades and chinstrap. It would look really good then. The front plate is ill-fitting but this can be easily corrected.
Itz_NCR
Member
Well at the very least ill have a few spare parts for my reenacting stuff
. Where could I go about finding some original parts for this helmet?
ww1czechlegion
Well-known member
Well at the very least ill have a few spare parts for my reenacting stuff
Original kokardes show up on eBay for sale, from time to time. And sometimes an original chinstrap will show up on the loose on eBay. I have purchased scrapper condition helmets on eBay or at a show, from time to time, which may have a decent original chinstrap on them, and/or original kokardes. In other words, I have sometimes purchased a poor condition helmet that has a good condition chinstrap on it, just for the chinstrap.
If you ever go to the Show of Shows, in Louisville, Kentucky, you will find original kokardes to purchase.
Sometimes members here on this forum will post original kokardes for sale.
Best Wishes,
Alan
pickelhauben
Well-known member
Not bad for your first one.
You can touch up the plate with black wash that you can buy at a hobby shop to make it blend better.
Chances of finding a matching plate are slim to none.
I made a post on doing this in the restoration post.
I will try to bump it up for you.
You can touch up the plate with black wash that you can buy at a hobby shop to make it blend better.
Chances of finding a matching plate are slim to none.
I made a post on doing this in the restoration post.
I will try to bump it up for you.
Itz_NCR
Member
I already had a spare plate in my parts bin
placed it on the helmet soon after its arrivalAttachments
pickelhauben
Well-known member
Yes that looks much better and what great luck !!!
Itz_NCR
Member
a local collector freind of mine sold me the chinstrap for $60
it really made the helmet look good
KAGGR#1
Well-known member
Where is "Local " ?a local collector freind of mine sold me the chinstrap for $60
I would like to buy some chin straps for $60
he must be a very close friend
Steve
John Josef
Well-known member
It must just be me, but that chinstrap looks bad to my aging eyes.
Good buy. That was a very fair price for a felt helmet with nice liner. Looks so much better with the different front plate. I have to agree with John Josef on the chin strap. To me, the leather look too thick, too narrow, and I believe bead blasted. I may be wrong. The buckle sliders look ok. A correct strap will set you back $150 plus.