Once again, a new addition not based on helmet quality but on regimental association. One of my great-uncles was in this unit in 1915; unfortunately I don’t have a picture of him in LIR 53 (which puts the helmet outside my collection scope, however I do cheat on my own rules from time to time 
). LIR 53 was outfitted with field grey uniforms and Pickelhauben when mobilised on 3.8.1914.
Clearly marked “B.A. VII 1910” on the rear visor and “L.I.R. 53 1910” inside the skull. No other acceptance marks visible, seemingly indicating that this helmet was directly issued to LIR 53 by VII. AK Bekleidungsamt without being issued to an active unit first. The oval maker’s mark is unreadable, but seems to say BERLIN which I didn’t expect as there were a lot of helmet makers in Westfalen (VII. AK district).
The helmet has several issues: the shape of the lower rim of the skull is “broken” near the right hand Kokarde, the stitching on the visors is broken and at least half of the rear visor is glued (which was brought out by the flash of the camera when I took the picture of the BA VII marking), there is a dent on the rear skull and the Spitze and rear spine have been taken off at some time and might not be original to the helmet.
On the positive side the Knöpfe 91 look originally fixed to the helmet, as does the chin strap (dents in front visor correspond with the chin strap buckles) and the Kokarden as they all fit tightly together. There is a faint Wappen ghost visible on the front, but that doesn’t tell me if this is the original Wappen as an additional Landwehr cross would result in the same ghost shape.
The price I paid for the helmet is almost the same as the value of the chin strap, Kokarden and Wappen combined, which explains why unfortunately so many helmets are slaughtered and sold as parts.
Regards, Lars
View attachment 3View attachment 2View attachment 1
Joe, if the unit marking is of interest you’re welcome to add it to your list; I’m already in the contributors list
). LIR 53 was outfitted with field grey uniforms and Pickelhauben when mobilised on 3.8.1914. Clearly marked “B.A. VII 1910” on the rear visor and “L.I.R. 53 1910” inside the skull. No other acceptance marks visible, seemingly indicating that this helmet was directly issued to LIR 53 by VII. AK Bekleidungsamt without being issued to an active unit first. The oval maker’s mark is unreadable, but seems to say BERLIN which I didn’t expect as there were a lot of helmet makers in Westfalen (VII. AK district).
The helmet has several issues: the shape of the lower rim of the skull is “broken” near the right hand Kokarde, the stitching on the visors is broken and at least half of the rear visor is glued (which was brought out by the flash of the camera when I took the picture of the BA VII marking), there is a dent on the rear skull and the Spitze and rear spine have been taken off at some time and might not be original to the helmet.
On the positive side the Knöpfe 91 look originally fixed to the helmet, as does the chin strap (dents in front visor correspond with the chin strap buckles) and the Kokarden as they all fit tightly together. There is a faint Wappen ghost visible on the front, but that doesn’t tell me if this is the original Wappen as an additional Landwehr cross would result in the same ghost shape.
The price I paid for the helmet is almost the same as the value of the chin strap, Kokarden and Wappen combined, which explains why unfortunately so many helmets are slaughtered and sold as parts.
Regards, Lars
View attachment 3View attachment 2View attachment 1
Joe, if the unit marking is of interest you’re welcome to add it to your list; I’m already in the contributors list
