Perhaps criticism is too harsh a term, disagreement is better. I have no issue with replacing a repro with another repro and I agree with Bruno 100% that these helmets, both Kurassier and JzP, look much better with the larger Cavalry Kokarden. My real question is simple: were smaller Kokarden used on M15 Kurassier and JzP helmets or not?
This is a subject near and dear to my heart so I really try to obtain all of the information that I can regarding this. Because of the hobby we share I believe that we all must tolerate 'some' modifications to our helmets. I am not very tolerant. I have found that periodically I must accept a new bolt, a hex head nut, a replacement chin strap (especially M15's), and it
always bothers me. My wife calls this "being anal".
My search into this matter started with two helmets. The first, "redheaded bastard stepchild" is shown here:
https://www.pickelhaubes.com/bb/viewtopic.php?f=41&t=10776
I revered this helmet for many years and then, all of a sudden, everything about it was wrong. This occurred with the development of the internet, so it was several years later. I did bother me, considerably, none-the-less.
The second helmet was a much, much later purchase that I almost didn't buy because of the small Kokarden. It is shown here:
https://www.pickelhaubes.com/bb/viewtopic.php?f=41&t=10685
I began my research in earnest prior to purchasing this helmet. I was absolutely convinced that small Kokarden were perfectly legit on model 1915 helmets. In researching this I found that it was virtually impossible to find a period photograph of a Prussian Kurassier or Jaeger zu Pferde soldier who was wearing a M15 helmet
without an Uberzug. I found the information in Rankin's book (but, of course, that is the book I used back in the 60's), and I found the information in Johansson's book. I examined numerous websites, Tony's being the best, and I enlarged a copy of the famous pyramid photo. On the pyramid photo I found, at least, three Kurassier with small Kokarden, two JzP with small Kokarden, and two Kurassier with the incorrect spike. I was delighted, until I realized that by the time these helmets arrived at the pyramid it was already too late.
I don't believe that we have an argument here, just a discussion. That is what the forum is about, picking each others brains for what we know --- and what we don't.
John