Two Pickelhauben that need work. Here is #1

I think helmet number two simply represents an older collector trying to upgrade a helmet or in the case of the officer wappen, provide something that was missing. We could also be dealing with the results of some dealer messing with the piece to charge more money. There were many pieces in this auction that had been messed with, were missing parts or had incorrect fittings on them. I don’t believe that any soldat would have damaged government property because of a promotion. He could have simply changed the Kokarden to NCO. Brian
 
Brian,
Thank you for your analysis. I have seen much monkeying around with medals and uniforms over the years. Though the helmet has rounded liner fingers, I cannot locate manufacture or unit markings on it.

As an aside, most if not all German military items Imperial and Third Reich have some stamp or marking of just about every part. Be it a steel helmet, liner, suspension system, bayonet, leather strap, ammo pouch, etc., etc., etc., it will have some minute stamping impressed onto, molded into, or labels marked and readily found. However, it seems that pickelhauben, for the most part, bye and large exempt from this relatively common German bureaucratic requirement.
Have you or others noted this, or am I OTF: out there flapping?
Best regards,
John
 
I can only speak from my own experience John. Most prewar helmets have good inked Regt. marking but some are not . Then I have found these ink markings blotted out or ground / sanded off. This was probably done when the Germans realized that these could provide information to the enemy. Then there are helmets with painted markings up inside the shell. The Bavarian pieces I have handled often have their markings stamped/impressed into the rear visor but there are some ink stamps too. Most M15’s are not marked except for the manufacturer stamp inside the shell. Felt helmets may have a Korps Roman Numeral inked under the rear visor but no Regt. ID. Again my experience only.
 
Hello Folks,
Brian, thank you for the information about the different markings found on pre-pickelhauben and the M15. From an operational security or OPSEC position, this makes perfect sense on what one can expect from the two variances.
I found the information on "Bavaria pieces ... often have their markings stamped/impressed into the rear visor." The Bavarian M95 I just purchased from James has an impressed or branded Unit marking on the rear visor. I believe it is "18 IR" :-k
Best regards,
John

Bavarian Pickelhaube branding.JPG
 
That is a great example of the typical Bavarian imprinted markings. I also noticed in my travels that the Bavarians usually put the number first then the letters. Other more unusual placement for ink stamp markings are on the flesh/rough side of the OR’s liners. We see this in Tschapkas, and sometimes shakos although most of the latter are marked up on the inside of the leather top. The OR hussar busbies will be normally ink stamped on the inside top surface and also underneath the kolpak. I have little experience with busbies but this is the way it is with my HR 20 Saxe and the ones I examined years ago in Tony’s collection. Metal cavalry helmets will most often be Regimentally stamped on the underside trim of the lobster tail. Others for example, Garde du Corps will be have their markings stamped on the side of the helmet underneath the Kokarde. More experienced collectors or those who have larger collections, will no doubt be able to provide exceptions to the what I have stated above. :)
 
Brian,
Thank you again for the information. It is fascinating how the Bavarians, aka Bairisch, like to do things differently from the Nothern Germans, especially in language. They are much like Texans in relation to the rest of the northern states in the United States.

Later, I hope to post a separate thread with my Bavarian Pickelhaube pictures and speculation as to which unit issued the helmet.
Best regards,
John
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top