And again. A proper 1915 Friedens-Uniform helmet.
I'm sorry Tony, but I don't think I share your thoughts.
The helmet looks exactly like a kammer model for use in campaign and garnison, it has the same materials and components as the mod. 1915, has a removable nail, the interior is in light natural leather, has the manufacturer's round mark, and the stamp of the 127th wurttemberg infantry regiment.
It differs only for the emblem and all the metal parts, which are in brass and not in feldgrau sheet iron.
At this time I have some doubts about it, as my friend Bruno has already written above.
On what knowledge do you claim to be a friedens-uniform helmet? Are there any regulations that I don't know about? Maybe.
What utility could the removable spike or morterboard have for a helmet not to be used in the countryside?
If it were a friedens-uniform helmet, why are there so few in our collections and museums?
There should be many more.
Normally the uniforms and headgear for friedens uniform are, with some exceptions, of private acquisition and not kammer. They do not have the stamps of the department and have a different quality of the materials.
The evolution of the 1915 model, at least from the documentation in our possession, is not yet clear.
Let's try together to make objective hypotheses. Help me friends.
AKO of April 06, 1915 Defines the use of feldgrau for military equipment.
As Sandmann wrote “ according to the text the order affected only buttons, Waist- and side-hooks, not helmet fittings or emblems.
AKO of June 28, 1915
a removable spike was introduced on a helmet substantially a mod. 1895
One example of this modified M1895 helmet is showed in the Musee militaire de la Targhette”
But Kraus claims : “… all helmet fittings were made of zinc-plated sheet iron in according with wartime economy”. Reference The german army by Jurgens Kraus)
25 August 1915 the experimental new model that will become the M1915 is proposed and accepted by the prussian Army.
AKO of 21 September 1915 Defines finally the adoption of the new model 15 as we all know it with the removable spike and feldgrau fittings.
11 November 1915 Adoption of the 1915 form by the Kingdom of Bavaria
AKO of 27 October 1916 The use of the gray cover is abolished with the exception of the Landsturm departments
My hypothesis is that in the period between April 1915 and September 1915, the various regulations that have followed one another at close range have created confusion in small producers, who may have received them not completely and correctly and perhaps with delay.
So were born some hybrids that did not have all the characteristics of the canonical 1915 mod, as we all know it.
This hypothesis of mine could also explain the existence of the earlier mod. 1915 helmet with the fixed and non-detachable spike, even if already with the feldgrau fittings.
It also occurs to me that in a war economy with a scarcity of materials, small producers have still used all the materials and accessories for the mods. 1895 to consummation for the production of the new model 1915. Could it be?
Occasionally you will come across some 1915 models with the blackened leather's liner or some helmets with side post M91 in silver or brass and feldgrau emblem.
Just my opinion and nothing more.
If anyone has or is aware of any elements to develop this interesting topic, please help us to do so.
What do you think about?