Avitas

Here is the last pic, of the inside and liner (which has seen better days!). The leather is getting very thin and fragile, any ideas on preserving it? I have been told that handling it with your hands is good as it absorbs the natural oils and prolongs the life of the leather. Any and all information and comments are great! Thanks in advance, Pat

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More pics!

Here is a close up of the front Prussian badge.

Here is a close-up of the stamp from Indiana. This is the neat mystery as this stamp has been on there for a LONG time! Any ideas on this stamp and its purpose on this pickelhaube? Pat

other side..

Here are some pics of the side views...

Hello, Let me start off by saying I rarely delve into Imperial German pieces so by no means am I an expert on these pickelhaubes. I came across this one though and felt pretty good about its authenticity. Possibly the spike and badge have been retouched/painted (it looks like the proper oxidization used on the 1915 models), but other than that it looks to be all original. It has an interesting stamp on it as well, something about a "Rehabilitation Center ... in Indiana". I will post the pic of the stamp, but it appears to be some kind of military rehab hospital stamp, so maybe it was given as a gift or was on display there, maybe someone can shed some light on it. Also, I think it is a Prussian EM M1915 model but I am not 100% certain on that part (like I said, this was kind of a one-off on these, not a regular collector of them). Any comments as to any pieces that have been replaced/repainted are welcome as I would like to know the complete story on this one. Thanks! Pat

Thanks for all the help, contacted seller and I'm taking it back tomorrow. Hugely appreciated!!! Pat

Thanks Naxos, So I guess the question is, HOW little value is it worth. I paid 250 USD for it, which is probably too high, so if anyone could give me an approx. value I can then decide whether to return it or not (PM me if you are uncomfortable giving an estimate in public). I bought it for a nice display piece with original period use (not by the SS, but by the polizei), and I know helmets are usually much more than $250. Thanks for all the help! Pat

Thanks for the replies, To answer the questions, it is a lightweight helmet and I can't see any remnants of the neck guard. So if the Police and Fire departments were under SS control would that explain the SS markings on the liner? Hopefully someone knows the answer, and I try to stay away from the other forum as i prefer this site. Thanks again, Pat

Thanks Gordon, Can you let me know what it says on page 129? I am always looking for good reference books but they are not always easy to come by. Like I said, I think it is an original polizei shell and liner with post-war decals, so if you have any light to shed anything is appreciated. Hopefully someone knowledgeable in these helmets will stumble upon this thread. I can still return it so any and all help would be appreciated. Pat

Pretty sure it's paper mache, but not 100% certain. Pat

And finally, the close-up of the Bavarian decal, which I believe is from the 30's. Thanks for any and all correspondence! Pat

The relic inside...

A couple more pics..

Here is an interesting find, a ww1 relic helmet done up in Bavarian colours and decals in the 1930's as either a parade piece, or more likely, a display piece for the mantle or something. It has the same repair paper mache as used on 30's German toys so that is some evidence on the time frame. If anyone knows for certain this type of stahlhelm was used for please share your info. Here is the first pics. Thanks, Pat

and finally another shot of the stamp. I can get more pics if needed. I forgot to mention it is a Polizei unit helmet (Interrogation Unit I was told) as it has the salt and pepper type vents (Polizei "civic curved dip" style mentioned on German-Helmets.com and extra sweat holes on the front end of the liner. Any help is greatly appreciated as I can still bring it back if it is a repro. Cheers and thanks in advance! Pat

another of the stamp on the finger..

Here are some shots of the liner in question..

Here is a close-up of the decal...

Hello gents, I have recently bought this helmet that I can return if it is found to be an unoriginal version. I know these facts: the decals are said to be museum restored ones so they are definitely post war made to look like an SS-VT helmet, but I was wondering if the shell or liner could confirm it as either and SS helmet or at least an original civic model Polizei helmet. The liner and the helmet itself are what I am curious about. I have been unable to find an exact match (close!) for this liner so I am feeling a bit uneasy about it. The helmet looks to be an original polizei repaint to me. As for markings the helmet is stamped "DIN 14940 Q" ,a code I have seen on originals, on the steel back brim and the liner is stamped "????? 1938 S.S." on one of the 9 fingers and "RO78" on the inside of the same finger. I bought it as an original helmet that had been redone so if that is the case I am satisfied, but if it is a fake shell or liner please let me know so I can return it ASAP. Thanks for any helmet advice!

and finally, the Souval in his new home (I don't close the box as I am concerned about the mess on the top half of the box damaging the cross, is this warranted?) Thanks for all comments, Pat

Here is the inside, some sort of mold/rust or something on the top of the case, anyone else seen this before and can identify the problem? Pat

Hi all, I just found a nice box to put this Souval in. Any comments on the box, it looks and tests out authentic in my experiences. Thanks in advance, Pat