UBB.threads Forums Uniform & Accessories Helmet Forum WWI Helmet w/Insignia

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Thanks! CHUCK

Thats a neat helmet. I'm a little rusty on my models (no pun intended) but think this is a M17. Can't remember what that shield means.

Thanks Blademan ... Here's another picture. CHUCK

I forgot to mention the obvious that this is a camo helmet which is very desirable. My guess on value is in the range of $500 to $800. May be much more depending on the meaning of the shield

I just sent pictures to another friend. He said the insignia was the Hohenzollern family crest and that the helmet was for the Gardekorps. He mentioned "1st Foots Guard Regiment. Is he correct? He didn't know what the "L" was for. CHUCK

Very rare helmet, M17 is correct and Garde as well.

Garde logo's are heavily faked, but this one appears good from the photo's

Worth well over $1000

Nice find

James

Hi James, Thanks for your opinion. I appreciate that. I'm glad I took his advise and bought it. BTW, did you get a chance to look at the German WW2 Jacket I posted in the uniform section. Like to know what it is. CHUCK

Heavilly faked indeed . I dont think I have ever seen an original one amongst the hundreds on ebay ,has this been sanded on the inside and on the liner ? Rob

Seems a bit odd to camo your helmet than place a big shoot-me-in-the-head 'L' on the back in white!

The L stands for Leibkompanie.If the liner band is leather it is a M16 if it is metal it is a M17.Your friend was right on the name of the regiment.The SS was modeled after this regiment..It sure looks good from the photos.

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Originally posted by MP716VN:
I just sent pictures to another friend. He said the insignia was the Hohenzollern family crest and that the helmet was for the Gardekorps. He mentioned "1st Foots Guard Regiment. Is he correct? He didn't know what the "L" was for. CHUCK

Very nice helmet!!!
Here is another Erste Garde zu Fuss helmet - slightly earlier.

Thanks guys for your welcome comments. As soon as I get it, I'll check the liner and see what it is made out of. Also, I'll send better pictures. CHUCK

Got the helmet today. Here's the "new" pictures (8)I took. Check them out and let me know what you think. Looks like a Model 1916 to me. Thanks, CHUCK

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Picture #8. Not sanded inside and the liner is made of Leather.

The helmet looks suspect from your new pictures,the liner leather looks new and so do the pads for a 100 year old relic.Have you put the paint under a blacklight?.I hate to be the bearer of bad news,but at least you get an answer to your question one way or another.Which is more than I get most of the time.JMO

Hi

It is a tough call, from the photos the helmet is a m16 with the first pattern liner with the leather band. So it makes it m16 helmet missing the chinstrap. because they used the old syle pickelhaube chinstrap which attached to the interio of the lugs.So they didn't last very long ,just a poor set up. The interio of the helmet looks fine.Leather band is tight to the helmet no shrinkage in which sometimes it happens. Look at the helmet pins, They should look to be there forever. That is the first sign of playing with a helmet.If the helmet pins or loose or looked to be played with. But with the photos looks fine.Helmet string looks correct. The exterio paint seems fine,but you need a hands on for this . Paint smell,wear,age,look must be same as the overall condition of the helmet. The rare insignia paint,make sure it is same age look for the whole helmet. But again ,you need hands on to be sure.This style of helmets that are camo are faked over the years plus the guard insignia are faked. You have to put the question to yourself, Do you feel comfortable with it? Where was the source? Ie a collector , trusted dealer or vet or public auction? Did the seller know what he had? The price?deal to good to be true or market value? I think you should send it to some one who is a expert in this field. Reason it is a rare helmet with the guard insignia. Then you will have your answer. Reason from the photos it looks ok,but you need hands on for such a rare helmet. Also if you paid premium price. If you got on ebay for a deal or ****er price , I would be highly suspect of it? Now a days there way too many collectors that would let a rare helmet go at a low price? I hope this helps you? If your not sure , send it to a expert for a second opinion.

Thanks Joe Semen

I like the looks of it.
As for the condition, lot depends on how these helmets were stored over the years as to how well they held up. Attics bad for leather & basements are bad for metal, but I have seen plenty of m16-m18s in as good and even better shape. Then again with poor storage I have seen leather rot off of 1970s US helmets when stored in bad environments.

Thanks to all that replied. Blacklighted the whole helmet, inside & out...Nothing glowed. In fact, the insignia disappears! Rivits have been there for 90+ years and have not been messed with. Each pad is tied and have no tears or markings (on the outside) that I can see. Are they marked elsewhere? I can untie one if necessary. The guy I got it from didn't know what it was, other than a WWI German Helmet. At first he said the insignia was a decal. I questioned him further and he checked and said it was painted, and not as decal. Some paint is peeling as seen in the pictures. Again, thanks...CHUCK

Hi

I would advise you to get someone more experience with helmets to look at this one. Reason with the last photo my gut feeling is the exterio paint is post war done ie after 1918. Reason look at the paint . Seems to be painted over rust pot marks on the exterio of the helmet.This is not the wear you would like to see. I advise you get someone to look at this ,hands on. Thanks Joe Semen

as a collector of both US unit painted & german camo painted helmets, Joe is certainly right about getting a "hands on" look. I usually use a loupe and sunlight to try and determine what went on and when. As they say; "The devil is in the details"

This is my first post on this forum. I agree with those who believe the paint and liner aren't good. How rare original helmets with the Hohenzollern crests are is hard to say, but I've only seen a handfull, including 2 camo helmets, with insignia that I've liked. I was lucky enough to buy one a few years back.

Here's a close-up of the painted over shield.

Another view of the helmet.

In Radovic's and Haselgrove's WW1 helmet book, there is a period picture apparently taken in September 1918 showing troops from the 1st Guard Division wearing camo helmets with no Hohenzollern shields visible. The camo patterns looks very similar to the one on my helmet.