Saxon metal helmet - unusual pattern

R

Robert

New member
What do you think of this stranger? The helmet shell is made of metal that has a lining on the inside to resemble the color of leather. An abundance of stamps is present, most notably a warning not to use the helmet in the field ("Nicht ins Feld senden"). The "Metallhelm" stamping is repeated on the front visor. Does anybody know what the "ga" stamps mean?

The exclusion from field service seems to contradict the purpose of ersatz helmets. On the other hand, if this was sort of a presentation helmet for home service only, then I would have expected it to be private purchase, which it evidently isn't. The helmet is also quite sturdy and definitely not a lightweight.

There is a surrounding fabric beneath the liner which has come loose on one side revealing the stitching. I don't know how liners are usually fastened to metals helmets, here it looks like tiny holes were drilled and the stitching done by hand.

The maker Hugo Baruch & Cie - Berlin is documented in Joes article, although with an other mark.

I think that the chin strap is a replacement, at least the leather. The helmet came with an Überzug that has paper sewn into the part that fits over the spike.

saxonmetal_front2.jpg


saxonmetal_inside.jpg


saxonmetal_stamp2.jpg


saxonmetal_stamp4.jpg


saxonmetal_stamp1.jpg
saxonmetal_stamp3.jpg


saxonmetal_maker2.jpg
saxonmetal_stitching.jpg


saxonmetal_ueberzug.jpg
 
I've never seen one of these before. It looks really goed and it's in perfect condition... Fabulous helmet you have there! :headbang:
Sorry I can't help you with the stamps, but looking at the way it's produced, it might be a paradehelmet that was stored and only could be worn at parades and ceremonies... Since the painted metal is much brighter than normal polished leather, this should make some sence...
But hey, that's just my two cents...

Adler
 
Maybe you are right about it being a parade helmet. The leather shows normal aging but the shell is real high gloss. I do not know much about such presentation type helmets, I always thought it was up to yourself to get a private purchase item if you wanted something special.

Thanks for the hint about the stamp, is the meaning if such a "garnitur" mark known? I am getting the regimental history on CD, it's always fun to read the story knowing that your helmet was there. I only know the basics at the moment:

Founded in 1897 with 2 battalions by reorganizing companies from following units:

Schützen-Füsilier Regiment Nr.108 -> 1., 2. comp.
5. Infanterie Regiment Nr. 104 -> 3., 4. comp.
3. Infanterie Regiment Nr. 102 -> 5., 6. comp.
4. Infanterie Regiment Nr. 103 -> 7., 8. comp.

The 3. battalion was added in in 1913 by reorganizing companies from following units:
4. Infanterie Regiment Nr. 103 -> 9. comp.
12 . Infanterie Regiment Nr. 177 -> 10. comp.
3. Infanterie Regiment Nr. 102 -> 11. comp.
12. comp. new addition

Seated in kamenz and Zittau, battles at the Marne, in Loretto, Artois, Wytschete, Ypern, Yser, Somme. Then moved to the eastern front in 1916, 1917 back to Verdun, Thiaucourt, Antwerpen-Maas and Metz.
 
"... is the meaning of such a "Garnitur" mark known?"

Robert, the Garnitur was the equipment stock from which the item was issued. The roman number (I to IV) that is often stamped inside the rear visor refers to the Garnitur #. That is what I thought of at first, like JR92, when I saw the "ga" stamp. At second thought, why would lower case letters be used? There should also be a number attached... Hence I doubt this is the meaning of "ga". I have no clue though...
By the way, this is a beautiful helmet! Never seen this kind before...
You must find a cockade.
 
Robert,

I don't claim to know everything but I have written a theory about this.

Sometimes the research I do falls upon interesting items, and all too often I have been publicly berated for some of this but I have gotten to the point where I don't care. I have seen this mark before. I have never seen one as well marked as this and I would beg you for copies of the pictures to publish. This is really sensational and I would put my money on this being a relatively late war production. This is part of a shorthand garniture system and is different from what I thought he several years ago and also different from several second source references. Of course I could be all wet.

Not only were helmets issued back into the system by the repair facilities with a BIA mark there are other marks used on release that cause confusion. The most common of these is the letter F. The letter is found on many BIA marks as well as BKA marks. it is found both in the capital letter F and the smaller letter f. This was an inspection mark that followed a shorthand wartime garniture system. Because many of the wartime helmets were released from the BIA with repairs this marking is often confused with "repaired". However, they were also inspected and released from the BKA. The letter in small or capital spelling means "felddienstbrauchbar" or field/war serviceable. The lower-level garniture inspection resulted in code "G"meaning "garnisonsdienstbrauchbar" or garrison / home serviceable only. This marking was often used for obsolete helmet types. This mark was far from universally used.
Click to expand...
 
That is a superb Pickelhaube. Just beautiful. =D>

A Prussian decree from 09 Sept 1916 ordered that repaired articles of clothing receive the following stamp:

f = feldbrauchbare (field use)
ga = besser garnisonbrauchbare (best garrison use)
gb= schlechter garnisonbrauchbare (heavy garrison use)

Below, a Württemberg Ulanen Regt 19 Unteroffizier's Ulanka. I have about a dozen (?) items stamped ga.

dbt19e.jpg
 
A Prussian decree from 09 Sept 1916 ordered that repaired articles of clothing receive the following stamp:
Click to expand...

I have not seen this I don't think. Can you post a picture please? Which headquarters did it come from?

I have seen Prussian use of both ga and just G. I have yet to see the lowest category gb on a helmet but have seen a similar mark with just the letter B.
 
Thanks for the infos! The ga stamp would correspond th the meaning of the other stamp (not for field use).
I would beg you for copies of the pictures to publish
Click to expand...
Sure no problem, I reduced all pictures in size for the forum so if you need any picture larger send me a PM.
The helmet does not look like a raw repair job, nor a typical ersatz type. Alone the way the stitching is done does not seem very economic. The overall quality is high which made me agree it may be a peace time item. Maybe it was simply a faulty design that turned out unserviceable and was sent to the depot for postwar use which it never saw.
 
Robert said:
The overall quality is high which made me agree it may be a peace time item.
Click to expand...

Peacetime only in name. Most collectors forget the Friedens-Uniformen (War and Peacetime uniforms) AKO 21 September 1915 (1916 for Bayern). These uniforms were worn with Pickelhauben with gilt and silver fittings. I have seen several dated 1917 and 1918, which confuses collectors (thinking the Pickelhaube was gone by 1916) but they are Friedens-Uniformen Pickelhaube, which is what yours appears to be Robert. A beautiful example too.
 
I just noticed.. the shell appears to be made of aluminium. Somehow this fact previously passed by on me.

This discussion has been very informative and concerning the colorful Friedensuniform I also found out several things completely new to me. Thanks again. BTW. doing some research I found an article of the Gesellschaft für Heereskunde (magazine issue 409) which documents that the Friedensuniform was irregularly used far into the Weimar Republic.
 
Great looking helmet! Congrats on a wonderful find.

Also some new info to me as well. I've added it to my 'information base' for future reference.

Thanks all!

:D Ron
 
Are the M91 post reinforcing pieces pressed as part of the dome, or are they ordinary leather pieces stitched onto the metal shell?
Thanks,
B
 
Are the M91 post reinforcing pieces pressed as part of the dome, or are they ordinary leather pieces stitched onto the metal shell?
Click to expand...
These are thick leather pieces (Ohrenleder) as they would be used on a normal leather helmet. Evidently they are present simply to provide a traditional appearance. The leather pieces are stitched, as are the visors. Some sort of machine was used to produce rows of tiny holes in the metal shell at about the same distance that would be used for a normal stitching.

This picture is not very good but you may see what I mean. I really need some equipment particularly some dull lights.

saxonmetal_side2.jpg
 
This helme is truly one of a kind. I have never seen anything like this...plus the markings...incredible really. The combination of leather visors, side renforcements and tin shell just boggles the mind. Why would they have gone to such lengths? Perhaps part of the explanation lies in tradition (since 1842) and the manufacturing complex that was dedicated to producing the pickelhauben. There were government contracts at stake here, new models that were produced in order to change with the times. When we look at the stahlhelme introduction, what happened to all those companies who were tooled up to produce the pickelhaube? Did they produce the other leather elements of the soldiers field kit?? There are many variables at play here and questions unanswered. However, this is one hell of a helmet! Brian
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top