New member, old pickelhuabe, looking for info

S

Stickman

New member
Hi all, thanks for having me here!

I just picked up what I believe is an M-1915 infantry model pickelhaube but as I’m not very familiar with them yet, just wondering if anyone can shed some light on this one. Am I correct with my description? Does anything look wrong with it? Can you tell what regiment it was? What’s the approximate value?

Thanks in advance!
 

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Hello,

Welcome to the forum and congratulations on your recent acquisition.

Your helmet is a Hessen or Hessian Model 1915 Enlisted man's helmet. The helmet body and the fittings appear to be original, including the chinstrap and the two kokardes (colored disks).

One strange thing I see is that the back spine has no ventilator on it. Normally we would see a sliding ventilator metal cover near the top area on the back spine on this type of helmet.

It's also the first time I've seen the winged nuts on an M15 helmet other than on the Bavarian M15 enlisted pattern Cavalry helmets. Are the front plate emblem (wappen) mounting screws vertical, or horizontal? I can't tell from the limited view you've posted of that area inside the helmet body/shell. It's not unusual for Hessen or Hessian helmets to have a pair of vertical mounting screw posts for the helmet emblem/wappen.

Are there any markings on the underside of the back visor, or inside the helmet body, such as "B. A. XVIII"?

Any chance we could see a full view of the underside or interior side of this helmet, and not just a partial view?

Your wartime helmet would have been worn by the 116th, 117th, 118th, and 168th Infantry Regiments.

Are you looking to keep your helmet or to sell it, since you're wondering about the approximate value?

Thanks,

Alan
 
I agree with Alan, it looks like an original Hessen M15, but like Alan, I have never seen a Hessen wappen fixed like that, with 2 screw posts.
My Hessen M15 doesn't have those, just like other Hessen M15's posted here.
It looks original to me, Kokarden, chinstrap, overal look of the helmet. It should have a ventilation slider though.

I would like to see more detailed photo's of it.
By the way, welcome here on the forum.

Regards, Coert.
 
Thanks Alan! Here’s a couple of more photos, and the mounting screws appear to be almost diagonal and not vertical, but there are no extra holes near the attachment screws so I’m guessing that they are the original ones.

It also appears to be named as there is some writing on the underside of the front brim, but I can’t make it out.

I am thinking of possibly selling it as it’s not really in my area of collecting interests but I was thrilled to finally own one as they have long been of interest to me.
 

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Stickman said:
Thanks Alan! Here’s a couple of more photos, and the mounting screws appear to be almost diagonal and not vertical, but there are no extra holes near the attachment screws so I’m guessing that they are the original ones.

It also appears to be named as there is some writing on the underside of the front brim, but I can’t make it out.

I am thinking of possibly selling it as it’s not really in my area of collecting interests but I was thrilled to finally own one as they have long been of interest to me.
Click to expand...

You're welcome!

I now see the 5th photo you added above shows the full interior/underside of your helmet. Thanks for posting it here.

I've seen Hessen or Hessian officer helmets that have the front plate emblem or wappen attached by vertical placed screw posts. But this would be a first for me seeing vertical screw post attachment for a wartime enlisted pattern Hessian or Hessen helmet.

Yes, it does appear to be a hand-written name in pencil, as you mention.

I might be interested in buying it if you decide not to keep it.

Best Wishes,

Alan
 
Last edited:
Congratulations and welcome a very nice helmet it must be beginners 'luck I've been looking for a nice, marked Hessian M15 for a while if they pop up, they don't stick around long. The hunt is part of the fun, and the hunt continues (y)

Again, welcome to the forum can't wait to see what you find next (y)
 
ww1czechlegion said:
Hello,

Welcome to the forum and congratulations on your recent acquisition.

Your helmet is a Hessen or Hessian Model 1915 Enlisted man's helmet. The helmet body and the fittings appear to be original, including the chinstrap and the two kokardes (colored disks).

One strange thing I see is that the back spine has no ventilator on it. Normally we would see a sliding ventilator metal cover near the top area on the back spine on this type of helmet.

It's also the first time I've seen the winged nuts on an M15 helmet other than on the Bavarian M15 enlisted pattern Cavalry helmets. Are the front plate emblem (wappen) mounting screws vertical, or horizontal? I can't tell from the limited view you've posted of that area inside the helmet body/shell. It's not unusual for Hessen or Hessian helmets to have a pair of vertical mounting screw posts for the helmet emblem/wappen.

Are there any markings on the underside of the back visor, or inside the helmet body, such as "B. A. XVIII"?

Any chance we could see a full view of the underside or interior side of this helmet, and not just a partial view?

Your wartime helmet would have been worn by the 116th, 117th, 118th, and 168th Infantry Regiments.

Are you looking to keep your helmet or to sell it, since you're wondering about the approximate value?

Thanks,

Alan
Click to expand...

Hi Alan, I am thinking of selling it, if you’re interested send me a DM

Rick
 
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