A few weeks back we had a new member join the forum with a little help from yours truly, named Randolpho/Alte Helme Z. This man began collecting early in life..."back in the day" when things were scandalously cheap to our more recent collector eyes. With his permission, I am posting one of his collector stories which occurred when he was 17 years of age, a long time ago:
My 1st true remembrance - for you - when in my 17th year while visiting a friend, i observed his neighbor raking the leaves while wearing a flat brim brown military hat.. An intro produced a remarkable fact that he was moving to Florida and had some military relics .Would I like them ?????? if not-- he was going to burn them with the leaves...!!!!!!!!!!!!!--- I was known to have some Civil War relics already.. Naturally yes was the reply . He was a ww1. veteran I discovered. USASSC-United States Air service Signal Corp. Not a pilot, an engineer- graduate of MIT . Much of this was discovered after going through the objects he gave to me...AS WE ONLY MET TWICE....
The list of gifts::::: his ww1 uniform-tunic with wings on collar-love letter in pocket--,riding breeches and boots --Sam Brown Belt & sling- . He kept the hat...
a French flare pistol (of american pattern 1917)
two German Iron Crosses
a large piece of canvas irregularly cut- of a red devil holding monocular on a greenish background---- about 2 by 2.5 ft.
many pieces of money -French & German
many post cards - German language of Metz France
his map showing the route of his travels
an officer book with his name lt. joel manson 1917
and a German helmet---- my first ------ to be continued -------- regards RANDOLPHO
The second email which contains the real "kicker"
Several YEARS later my mother was reading a Holiday magazine article regarding the von Furstenberg family and noticed in a photo. a portrait of the Kaiser on the palace wall. Up to that point- I did not Know what my helmet was at all, Suddenly, I thought "it must belong to the Kaiser" !!!!!!!..--. Wrong --. but that started me on a sixty year trek to learn about German helmets , and to acquire them- the more unusual the better...ie mitres, busbies, ulans. jaegers, kurassiers then colonial headgear.. naval, war time .usw
Going to antique shops I would turn down the high priced helmets at $7.00 or $12.00.. I was making $0.65 per hour. - working at a gas station..!!!!
The original gifted helmet was a-- mann. GduC model 1889/1894 to parade with eagle top -marked "A.Klucke -GDuC 2"- I still have it... ( my friend's mother wanted to use it for a planter --!!!!!!!)
The greatest difficulty was gaining information on them.---- more so than finding them--- as nobody was collecting German helmets of WW1.. The first source was the Hans Jurgen paperbacks from 1954 & 1956.. infantry and cavalry respectively.. Then the fabulous Pietsch volumes. in 1962/1966... With no school training I had to try to learn to read and understand German. Later . along came Didier Laine and the need to learn some French.. Thankfully, today there is MIlitaria verlag in your choice of languages!!!!! with fabulous photos!!!!- you guys have it so easy - just not so inexpensive.... The dealers of today possibly have what you desire - if affordable -- but there are still problems. Is it original?? There were various repros even in the 1960s along with carnival helmets and those which were made about 1900 for regimental centennials..
Braunschweig helmets were always an enigma..!!!
This is a wonderful site for learning by sharing info- one has to back up their opinions from original sources and with illustrations if possible ., while remembering regulations were not always followed - at least immediately and one hundred years has elapsed ...with many owners hands involved .
This is a great story with some very wise words for today's collectors from one who has been a "treasure hunter" for many decades. I wish to thank Randolpho for granting permission to make this post. I have told him that I will gladly post pictures from his collection if he chooses to send them to me. Regards, Brian
My 1st true remembrance - for you - when in my 17th year while visiting a friend, i observed his neighbor raking the leaves while wearing a flat brim brown military hat.. An intro produced a remarkable fact that he was moving to Florida and had some military relics .Would I like them ?????? if not-- he was going to burn them with the leaves...!!!!!!!!!!!!!--- I was known to have some Civil War relics already.. Naturally yes was the reply . He was a ww1. veteran I discovered. USASSC-United States Air service Signal Corp. Not a pilot, an engineer- graduate of MIT . Much of this was discovered after going through the objects he gave to me...AS WE ONLY MET TWICE....
The list of gifts::::: his ww1 uniform-tunic with wings on collar-love letter in pocket--,riding breeches and boots --Sam Brown Belt & sling- . He kept the hat...
a French flare pistol (of american pattern 1917)
two German Iron Crosses
a large piece of canvas irregularly cut- of a red devil holding monocular on a greenish background---- about 2 by 2.5 ft.
many pieces of money -French & German
many post cards - German language of Metz France
his map showing the route of his travels
an officer book with his name lt. joel manson 1917
and a German helmet---- my first ------ to be continued -------- regards RANDOLPHO
The second email which contains the real "kicker"
Several YEARS later my mother was reading a Holiday magazine article regarding the von Furstenberg family and noticed in a photo. a portrait of the Kaiser on the palace wall. Up to that point- I did not Know what my helmet was at all, Suddenly, I thought "it must belong to the Kaiser" !!!!!!!..--. Wrong --. but that started me on a sixty year trek to learn about German helmets , and to acquire them- the more unusual the better...ie mitres, busbies, ulans. jaegers, kurassiers then colonial headgear.. naval, war time .usw
Going to antique shops I would turn down the high priced helmets at $7.00 or $12.00.. I was making $0.65 per hour. - working at a gas station..!!!!
The original gifted helmet was a-- mann. GduC model 1889/1894 to parade with eagle top -marked "A.Klucke -GDuC 2"- I still have it... ( my friend's mother wanted to use it for a planter --!!!!!!!)
The greatest difficulty was gaining information on them.---- more so than finding them--- as nobody was collecting German helmets of WW1.. The first source was the Hans Jurgen paperbacks from 1954 & 1956.. infantry and cavalry respectively.. Then the fabulous Pietsch volumes. in 1962/1966... With no school training I had to try to learn to read and understand German. Later . along came Didier Laine and the need to learn some French.. Thankfully, today there is MIlitaria verlag in your choice of languages!!!!! with fabulous photos!!!!- you guys have it so easy - just not so inexpensive.... The dealers of today possibly have what you desire - if affordable -- but there are still problems. Is it original?? There were various repros even in the 1960s along with carnival helmets and those which were made about 1900 for regimental centennials..
Braunschweig helmets were always an enigma..!!!
This is a wonderful site for learning by sharing info- one has to back up their opinions from original sources and with illustrations if possible ., while remembering regulations were not always followed - at least immediately and one hundred years has elapsed ...with many owners hands involved .
This is a great story with some very wise words for today's collectors from one who has been a "treasure hunter" for many decades. I wish to thank Randolpho for granting permission to make this post. I have told him that I will gladly post pictures from his collection if he chooses to send them to me. Regards, Brian