Prussian Inf. EM M1915 Pickelhaube - Marking

RON

RON

Well-known member
Gentlemen, does an 'R.55' marking on a regular M1915 Prussian Infantry Haube (dated 1916) make any sense or should it read 'JR.55' or 'IR.55' instead?
 
From what I've read in Joe's (great) article on Pickelhaube Depot Marks (http://www.pickelhauben.net/articles/DepotMarks_5_09.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;), it seems that 'R.55' could mean either of the following:

'Regiment Nr.55' or 'Reserve Infantry Regiment Nr.55' (RJR55)

Since the wappen on the helmet in question is a regular M15 grey-oxydized Inf. Prussian Eagle, this now yields a few more questions:

(Q.1) Did a Prussian 55th Infantry Regiment ever exist?
or
(Q.2) Did a Prussian Reserve 55th Infantry Regiment exist?
and if so
(Q.3) Shouldn't the Line Eagle have a Reserve Cross tagged to it?
 
OK, this got a bit easier: It turns out there's an 'I' before the 'R.55' which corroborates the Infantry-type pickelhaube.

Which narrows it down to 1 question: Was there a Prussian Infantry Regiment Nr. 55 in 1916?
 
Was there a Prussian Infantry Regiment Nr. 55 in 1916?
Click to expand...

Yes. Infantry Regiment "Count von Dennewitz"(6 Westphalian) Nr.55. The regiment was originally raised in 1860 and garrisoned in Detmold & Bielfeld. I.R. 55 was in the VII Army Corps. At the outbreak of World War I the regiment was a part of the 13th Infantry Division and remained in this division throughout the war.
 
reservist1 said:
Was there a Prussian Infantry Regiment Nr. 55 in 1916?
Click to expand...

Yes. Infantry Regiment "Count von Dennewitz"(6 Westphalian) Nr.55. The regiment was originally raised in 1860 and garrisoned in Detmold & Bielfeld. I.R. 55 was in the VII Army Corps. At the outbreak of World War I the regiment was a part of the 13th Infantry Division and remained in this division throughout the war.
Click to expand...

Hey! We go to Gutersloh, which is just south of Bielefeld! I have a Beamte helmet from there. Ain't it a small world? :)

:D Ron
 
A useful link perhaps:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Imperial_German_infantry_regiments" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Regards,

Edwin
 
Great link Edwin; hopefully it'll be completed with more info./links/photos.
Thanks!
 
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