Prussian infantry helmet M1887

[CLOVIS 57]

Can it be, esteemed gentlemen, that here a M/71 bell was used (aptiert

Thank you for your opinions.
I think it could have been done. But that's not the case with Sandy's, or mine. These 2 helmets were built new in 1887-88. Indeed, the M71 bell is heavier and taller. In the case of such a recycled shell, you can clearly see that the bottom of the bell has been cut to be shortened, and the reinforcements under the cockade have been reassembled. In this case, the old seam is clearly visible.


Here are the traces of hull recycling on an M95/15. You can clearly see the stitching on the reinforcement, the trace of the old stitching on the shell, and the hole for the old chinstrap fastening button.



Below, an old Hessian helmet, recycled as a Prussian helmet, in BJA XVIII (former Grand Duchy of Hesse, now JR80 of Hesse-electoral). Previous holes have been filled with leather plugs, and a basane patch glued to the inside.

And finally, another 87, 91 or 95 recycled model M1915.



All this to say that a recycled shell can always be seen by one or more traces.

 

[CLOVIS 57]

I come back to the tip, which is indeed a new model (absence of the pearl ring), a model that will continue on the M91 and M95 model helmets, and will be replaced by the ultimate retractable M1915 tip.


And here is the diagram of the ferrule on the model 1867 with perlring and 1887 without perlring.

On the M91 or M95 helmet, an M87 tip is identical to the M91 tip. But, we can clearly see here, the lining, fixed and welded to the base, and the rotating ferrule. This discovery also demonstrates that these points were still used on old helmets in 1914.

The abandonment of the ferrule in 1891 goes in the usual direction of evolution, that is to say simplification of manufacture, economy of money and metal, and reduction.

Moreover, the last photo, shows a "Reservist" (109RR Bade) of the mobilization in 1914, with a tip still at Perlring M67!



A photo of "Gardisten" in an M87 helmet

 

[CLOVIS 57]

Still about element M87 used in the mobilization of 14, my two LGR 109/ 1GBRIR109 of 1914:

On the left an M95 (5-hole tip, side-post chinstrap removed, griffin with saddles and leather corners) but M87 chinstrap!

On the right, M91, (6-hole M87-91 point, unique to this regiment) but M91 chinstrap with post side, no ventilation flap on the rear spine griffin with threaded studs and square nuts.




By unscrewing the M87 fixing, we can clearly see the old trace of the post-side M91


These makeshift interventions were made during the mobilization, when the helmets were taken from the LGR stock to be stamped with the RIR marking.
Obviously, with the helmet cover, no worries about non-compliance!

 

[JohnS3rd]

Clovis
Thank you for your detailed examination of the M87 Pickelhaube updating and utilization well into the Great War. It is amazing the number utilized by Baden regiments. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and collection.
Best regards
John