I had this shell put on ebay a couple of weeks ago. I was contacted by an experienced French collector (200+helmets) who said that this was a German made reproduction (Frankonia) from the 1970's. I pulled the listing as a result of his comments, he pointed out that the chin scale holes are too low and close to the visor pins so that no kokarde could be worn. I have owned the piece since the 1980's, I bought it from an older collector and I hoped to find the missing parts and restore it. There is a Garde eagle wappen shadow in the finish at the front of the helmet. The piece is made of lacquered felt with the two visors stitched to the shell, obviously private purchase.
Initially, I accepted...."reproduction", however on closer examination I still believe...."original" although the kokarde problem has no solution. The main area that I look at, is the liner: first....proper colour and sheep skin, it has the hash marks one finds on the older officer liners from the pre 1890 period. Second it is worn/holed on both sides where the bolt for the chin scales was located. Third, you can see the wear mark of the "bolt" on both sides of the shell around the holes in the shell. Fourth, All stitch lines on the inside including front and rear visors, and the chin scale side reinforcements are all backed on the inside with pieces/strips of the original thin leather used for the liner. Now, I was not collecting in the 70's so I am not aware of the quality of the repros from this era. However, due to the helmet's characteristics described above, I find it hard to believe this to be a "fake". Last, I have no problem being proven wrong on this....I invite comments from all members. Here are the pics:
I did sand and polish the shell years ago, the finish was really rippled, which would again suggest age.
Proper brass square nuts and thicker than the M95's
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Initially, I accepted...."reproduction", however on closer examination I still believe...."original" although the kokarde problem has no solution. The main area that I look at, is the liner: first....proper colour and sheep skin, it has the hash marks one finds on the older officer liners from the pre 1890 period. Second it is worn/holed on both sides where the bolt for the chin scales was located. Third, you can see the wear mark of the "bolt" on both sides of the shell around the holes in the shell. Fourth, All stitch lines on the inside including front and rear visors, and the chin scale side reinforcements are all backed on the inside with pieces/strips of the original thin leather used for the liner. Now, I was not collecting in the 70's so I am not aware of the quality of the repros from this era. However, due to the helmet's characteristics described above, I find it hard to believe this to be a "fake". Last, I have no problem being proven wrong on this....I invite comments from all members. Here are the pics:
I did sand and polish the shell years ago, the finish was really rippled, which would again suggest age.
Proper brass square nuts and thicker than the M95's
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Ron
