My Prussian Shako

Peter B

Well-known member
Thanks to James for selling this to me.

I am very happy with my first Shako. The pictures speak for themselves.

If anyone can help me decipher the stamps inside that would be appreciated. I am pretty sure there is 1916 and a size 54 but the main stamp between those I don't understand. Looks like something standard so maybe someone knows?

Thanks.

Peter
 

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Oh and by the way - James said he does not believe the feldzeichen is original. Looks pretty good to me but then again I am a novice

Peter
 
Congratulations to your new Shako. It looks very nice :bravo:
Unfortunately I can‘t help with the stamps. The only think I can identify is 1916.
 
Very nice shako!

Looks great, I also have one, but it doesn't look near as good as yours..
I also only can read 1916 on it..the rest is illegible to me.

About the feldzeichen, I also think it is a repro, but no worries. Most feldzeichen were lost in time.
So having a nice looking repro is no shame. I also suspect mine is a repro. But it is much thinner, looking at it from the side.
20200301_142111_resized.jpg
Chinstrap on mine is also an obvious fake.

Congratulations on your latest addition, looks very nice! :bravo:

Greetings, Coert. :)
 
Peter: The stamp in what looks like a rectangular box could be a manufacturer's stamp. It might also be a regimental stamp but for the most part, M15's are not regimentally stamped as the pre 1914 and early war years were. The Germans quickly learned that these markings could give information to the enemy if the piece was captured. I have seen numerous helmets with ink markings sanded off or blacked out. Regarding feldzeichen the repro "tell" is that the coloured centrepiece is always glued on not hand stitched. On originals especially OR's you will see the stitches which secure the colour oval to the backing cloth. On many you will see stitches on the back side as well. It is very common for the Fz to be missing and originals are highly sought after by collectors. Years ago, we did have a lengthy post here on the forum about feldzeichen with some great pics of originals in members collections. This was I believe in the Pickelhaube Discussion section so have a look.
 
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