Restoration questions

Gord

Gord

Member
Hi all. I'm new to the site but have been collecting WW1 Canadian and German uniforms and equipment since the 70's. So, since I don't focus strictly on pickelhauben, I have to make due with restoring whatever I can afford. Thus, I have what I believe to be a Saxon or's helmet (plate holes are 2.25" apart on centre). I need to locate a Saxon plate and cockades, if possible. I'd hate to resort to repro stuff so I'll ask here if anyone has any of these for sale.
 
Hi James. The actual piece may have been unissued judging by the condition of the interior. Everything metal is of the grey m15 type with the exception of the spike and mount which are brass. No markings or stamps that I can see. Pica?
 
Gord:

Fellow Canadian here. I collect Canadian CEF medals and Imperial German. You'll find that pictures are a prime means of communication here. "Picture is worth a thousand words" sort of thing.
Welcome to the forum.
 
Here are some pics of the fore-mentioned "Saxon" (?) pickelhaube. I'll need a front plate- probably grey, and a Saxon cockade 9
 
...as I was saying before I hit the wrong key; I'd hate to have to end up with a repro cockade, but. In addition, I'll need to straighten out this rear visor.
 
Forgot the pics....
 

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Steve Nick said:
Gord:

Fellow Canadian here. I collect Canadian CEF medals and Imperial German. You'll find that pictures are a prime means of communication here. "Picture is worth a thousand words" sort of thing.
Welcome to the forum.
Click to expand...
Hi Steve! What sort of Imperial German do you collect? I've got about 10 or so field grey tunics as well as a 1st Guard Uhlan field grey tunic and NCO helmet for same. Just built new stands for the whole shebang.
 
I met Gord many years ago when Tony and I paid a visit to look at his collection. Welcome Gord, great to have you with us!
 
I think I was still driving a Model "T" at the time! LOL! The collection has changed alot since then! My sons and I (we they were wee squirts) made the journey to Fredericton to take in Tony's vast collection. WOW! It's so nice to be part of this site and be connected to the rest of the collecting world. Anyone out there near Vancouver Island?
 
Welcome Gord! the pictures help a ton.

IMO the brass spike does not go with this helmet and should be Field grey like the rest. This is an easy fix. I will check my parts box, but I do not think I have a Field grey Saxon wappen at this time, just brass ones.

As far as visiting Tony it is on my list as he keeps inviting me, hopefully next year. Sadly, I have visited Brian, thankfully his wife was there and saved the trip :D Just kidding Brian!

James
 
Good morning, James. Thanks for the scrounging for a grey spike! As far as the front plate goes, I'm not that fussy. Anything is better that two holes. I'm afraid that I may weaken and settle for some repro.
 
Gord said:
Hi Steve! What sort of Imperial German do you collect? I've got about 10 or so field grey tunics as well as a 1st Guard Uhlan field grey tunic and NCO helmet for same. Just built new stands for the whole shebang.
Click to expand...
Gord:

That's a great looking collection. I used to have a corner on 21st Battalion collecting but back in 2014 I let it all go along with the Pipe Major's complete uniform minus the spats. I wrote the history of the unit back in 2008.

My Imperial German collecting is (with a great deal of personal restraint) limited to Headgear, and Kaiser Prizes. I have a few swords but am not hugely attached to them.

And James is correct. With not a lot of patience a M15 Saxon OR's Wappen and a spike will show up.
 
Yes, it's me again! Another question; You guys haven't seen the one currently having a wet newspaper bath in the plastic bag spa. I felt through the plastic this morning and it is indeed softening up! That's one day- 2 more to go (?). In the meantime, I had cleaned alot of rust off the spike and Prussian plate. Read the posts and dog and I went to the local hardware store in search of rust removal gunk. (try explaining a "pickelhaube" to a mortal). Best I could think of was soaking them in cleaning vinegar. Now, being known for impatience, just a bit, I am not sure if what I have left is rust or patina. I'll wait for expert advice before I continue...photos below.
 

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Soak these metal parts in Evapo-Rust product, available at an auto parts store in the USA. It will lift the rust right off the metal.
 
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