UBB.threads Forums Uniform & Accessories Helmet Forum WW1 helmet shell types

As I alluded to in another thread, perhaps it would be a good idea to show all the known (and there were many) WW1 era German and Austrian shell types based on the individual manufacturers. I think it would be a great reference and it may lead to others becoming collectors of these fine helmets.

Although I do not have any WW1 helmets left in my collection (other than those converted by the SS to blackies ), I do have two images of a couple that I used to own. Both of these are ET64 examples but the first one is the very rare "square-dip" pattern which was quickly redesigned and manufactured once the cracking flaw was discovered in the sharp transition from the visor to the skirt...see Baer, page 38. I wish I still had this one.

Here is the other ET64. This was an estate sale find (my only lucky find at such an event) and was brought back by a Canadian vet. Notice how they made the visor to skirt transition more gradual.

Austrian blackie with a very soft break. Stamped 'B' 200 on top of shell...also stamped 66 on inside skirt.

Robert

And for comparison, the Vickers-made Irish helmet. It almost looks like the Austrian version!

This is an interesting idea. unfortunately, I haven't much photographic input. Maybe I can get some snaps this week. The differences between the M16 makers are much more pronounced than the WW2 makers. The Bing brothers (Famous pre-war toy makers) had the most distinctive shape with a long sloping visor. The "bell-L" had the very short visor. The Si maker had the low riding visor etc, etc...
Fascinating stuff. Also, some makers only made a limited amount of sizes and models. I think that "bell- L" only made 64s and most of them were M18s. Of course the Giant ET firm made them all. There is a list of makers on my FAQ page. Its about 95% complete.

Very interesting idea. I only have a few helmets, but I tried to compare them and will post some images here. The info will also be put on my website at :
http://www.germanuniformsandequipment.co.nr/

JS

The slope of steel helmets towards the rear visor is very different when comparing different makers. Here some examples. Visors were either short or longer and the angle of the slope was steep or flat. Not shown here is the square visor variant which was very fragile and soon replaced. From top to bottom : Firma F. W. Quist, Esslingten size 66, unknown relic size 66, Remscheid-Hasten size 64 and Eisenh�ttenwerk Thale size 64.

Two examples of size 66 model 1916 helmets. Left: relic helmet of unknown makers. The total length of the helmet is 31.3cm and has a long sloping visor. Right: Camo helmet made by Firma F. W. Quist, Q Esslingten with a leather liner band. The slope of the visor is squarer and the total length of the helmet is 31.3cm.

Two examples of size 64 model 1916 helmets. Left: Remscheid-Hasten K helmet with a total length of 30.8cm. The metal is of inferior quality and equipped with a metal liner band. Right: Helmet made by Eisenh�ttenwerk Thale with a leather liner band. The visor is positioned higher and the front is more curved. The total length of the helmet is 31cm.

Close-up of the different visor heights.

Two examples of size 66 model 1916 helmets. Left: Hermann Weissenberger & Co. helmet with a total length of 30.9cm equipped with a metal liner band. The visor slope is less squarer. Right: Same as previous, the camo helmet made by Firma F. W. Quist, Q Esslingten with a leather liner band and a length of 31.3cm.

Close up of the front visors.

Two examples of size 62 helmets. Left: Model 1916 helmet with a total length of 29.8cm equipped with a metal liner band. The manufacturer mark is very difficult to read. Right: model 1918 helmet made by F.C. Bellinger, Fulda with a length of 30.3cm.

Two size 66 Austrian model 1916 helmets of unknown manufacturers. Left: helmet with a length of 31cm. The rivet of the liner is very flat and placed 7.5cm high. Stamped �B 199� on top of the shell. Right: helmet with a length of 31.3cm. The rivet of the liner is rounded and placed 6.6cm high. Stamped L 888 on top of the shell.

Left: model 1918 size 64 helmet with ear cut-out manufactured by Eisenh�ttenwerk Thale, with a total length of 31.2cm and right a model1916 helmet made by the same manufacturer with a length of 31cm.

Compare the side areas of an original ear helmet (left) and a normal helmet (right).

again...

Finally, a comparison between an Irish Vickers helmet (left) having a length of 29.8cm and a model 1916 helmet.

The Irish Army decided to introduce a steel helmet in 1926 and started to evaluate different helmet models used during the First World War. The British helmet was not chosen because of political reasons, as the War Of Independence had just recently ended in 1921. Trials with the French Adrian helmet were not successful and the Ministry of Defense decided to adopt a helmet similar to the German model 1918. As the Versailles treaty did not allow Germany to export military equipment, the Ministry of Defense approached the British government, which gave a contract to the Vickers Company. Vickers produced 10.021 helmets factory finished in a matt black and green paint. The helmet was made from inferior steel and stress markings can often be seen along the front visor. Vickers supplied the shell, while the three pad leather liners were fitted by the Dublin firm of T. Smyth & Son. The liners were manufactured in three sizes (Small, Medium and Large) and marked 'T. Smyth & Son Dublin 1927', followed by a letter S, M, L for the size. The liner was attached to the shell by three 0.6 mm flat copper rivets with 0.6" (1.4cm) copper washers. The chinstrap and the steel air ventilation holes were identical to the model 1918 German helmet. Four 0.2" (0.4cm) rivets attached a pair of badge lugs on the front of the shell to accept the modified version of the 1924 pattern officers cap badge.

The helmets were used until 1940 by the Irish Army and during the Second World War were painted white and distributed to civil authorities. More recently, the Irish army crushed and bulldozed about 4,000 helmets into the ground during a construction project.

(http://www.germanuniformsandequipment.co.nr/)

JS

Very nice work JS! Thanks for your informative follow up on this thread, you have some beautiful helmets also!

Robert