ww1czechlegion
Well-known member
Hello,
Here's a recent untouched attic find Prussian metal kit helmet made by the company Firma von der Heyden of Berlin.
The exterior is covered with thick dust under the eagle, which is held on by a bamboo stick through the round horizontal tube/flange mounted on the back side of the Prussian wappen/front plate. Typical of this type of helmet.
The rear of the helmet has a coating of untouched dust that has dried onto the black finish of the helmet. I have left this untouched as recently found. I believe it will most likely wipe off with a lightly damp cloth, but I will leave that for a future owner to decide what to do with the dust.
There are a few scattered red paint splatters mainly on the brass Prussian eagle, to the left of the eagle on the black finish of the helmet shell, and on the outside of the front visor, all as seen in the photos. One always wonders what these helmets experienced in the 100+ years since they were brought home from WW1.
The brass fittings appear to have some discoloration from what I believe is a lacquer finish that was applied over the brass fittings. This discoloration appears to be even on all the brass fittings with the exception of the Prussian wappen/front plate, which appears to have the nice original gilt finish remaining on the eagle.
The cross on the orb in the eagle's claw has been broken off at some time in the past, as seen on the viewer's lower right side of the eagle.
The leather liner looks almost unworn, with no damage to the leather "tongues", and the leather adjustment thin strap is still intact laced between the leather tongues.
The seldom seen original round felt pad is still intact inside the crown of the helmet.
The silver or chromed color small rivet button is intact in the back of the liner, but has pulled away from the other side of the leather liner, but has not torn where it pulled away. This is typical from my experience with these helmets.
A hex nut holds the back visor trim to the underside of the back visor, as is typical for these kit helmets by von der Heyden.
Remnants of the "Firma von der Heyden" stenciled maker mark are still visible on the underside of the front visor.
The chinstrap and kokardes for this helmet have been lost to time.
There are 3-small dents to the helmet body, which I've circled in a red line to show their location. Again, something that is typical for these thin metal "kit" helmets.
Best Regards,
Alan
Here's a recent untouched attic find Prussian metal kit helmet made by the company Firma von der Heyden of Berlin.
The exterior is covered with thick dust under the eagle, which is held on by a bamboo stick through the round horizontal tube/flange mounted on the back side of the Prussian wappen/front plate. Typical of this type of helmet.
The rear of the helmet has a coating of untouched dust that has dried onto the black finish of the helmet. I have left this untouched as recently found. I believe it will most likely wipe off with a lightly damp cloth, but I will leave that for a future owner to decide what to do with the dust.
There are a few scattered red paint splatters mainly on the brass Prussian eagle, to the left of the eagle on the black finish of the helmet shell, and on the outside of the front visor, all as seen in the photos. One always wonders what these helmets experienced in the 100+ years since they were brought home from WW1.
The brass fittings appear to have some discoloration from what I believe is a lacquer finish that was applied over the brass fittings. This discoloration appears to be even on all the brass fittings with the exception of the Prussian wappen/front plate, which appears to have the nice original gilt finish remaining on the eagle.
The cross on the orb in the eagle's claw has been broken off at some time in the past, as seen on the viewer's lower right side of the eagle.
The leather liner looks almost unworn, with no damage to the leather "tongues", and the leather adjustment thin strap is still intact laced between the leather tongues.
The seldom seen original round felt pad is still intact inside the crown of the helmet.
The silver or chromed color small rivet button is intact in the back of the liner, but has pulled away from the other side of the leather liner, but has not torn where it pulled away. This is typical from my experience with these helmets.
A hex nut holds the back visor trim to the underside of the back visor, as is typical for these kit helmets by von der Heyden.
Remnants of the "Firma von der Heyden" stenciled maker mark are still visible on the underside of the front visor.
The chinstrap and kokardes for this helmet have been lost to time.
There are 3-small dents to the helmet body, which I've circled in a red line to show their location. Again, something that is typical for these thin metal "kit" helmets.
Best Regards,
Alan
