Steve Nick
Well-known member
An “out of the woodwork” find at the recent Canadian Society of Military Medals and Insignia annual two day show in Burlington, Ontario. This show is pretty much as described with about 95% of the offerings being Canadian. However, there were some finds to be had in the Imperial German field and I appeared to be the only potential buyer.
Chatting with various vendors yielded a gentleman who had this helmet at home. We agreed on a price on Friday and he brought it to the Saturday show.
No Kammer markings to be seen, but the owners’ name “Sterk” is penciled on the front visor.
1891 rear spine and Wappen with original square nuts, liner in good shape, uniform crazing and only one small area with missing lacquer.
Württemberg helmets are hard to find in Canada in my experience.
I’m particularly pleased to add this helmet to my collection as it may well have participated in an action that has particular significance to Canadians.
The 120th, 121st and the 126th Württemberg Infantry regiments launched a successful attack on the Canadian 4th Mounted Rifles at Mount Sorrel on June 2nd 1916 resulting in the death of the only Canadian General to ever have been Killed in Action (Major-General Malcolm Mercer O.C. of the 3rd Canadian Division)
The 4th was devastated taking 89% casualties. Of 702 officers and men only 76 came through unscathed. Many C.M.R.’s were captured when the tunnel (“the Tube”) they were sheltering in was blown in.
I'm on the Lookout for an O.R.'s Württemberg Kokarde.
I like the patina on this one so other than some cleaning of surface dirt I'm going to leave it "as is".
Chatting with various vendors yielded a gentleman who had this helmet at home. We agreed on a price on Friday and he brought it to the Saturday show.
No Kammer markings to be seen, but the owners’ name “Sterk” is penciled on the front visor.
1891 rear spine and Wappen with original square nuts, liner in good shape, uniform crazing and only one small area with missing lacquer.
Württemberg helmets are hard to find in Canada in my experience.
I’m particularly pleased to add this helmet to my collection as it may well have participated in an action that has particular significance to Canadians.
The 120th, 121st and the 126th Württemberg Infantry regiments launched a successful attack on the Canadian 4th Mounted Rifles at Mount Sorrel on June 2nd 1916 resulting in the death of the only Canadian General to ever have been Killed in Action (Major-General Malcolm Mercer O.C. of the 3rd Canadian Division)
The 4th was devastated taking 89% casualties. Of 702 officers and men only 76 came through unscathed. Many C.M.R.’s were captured when the tunnel (“the Tube”) they were sheltering in was blown in.
I'm on the Lookout for an O.R.'s Württemberg Kokarde.
I like the patina on this one so other than some cleaning of surface dirt I'm going to leave it "as is".
