West German Helmets

[Joe]

TJ
It's stamped on the inside back skirt LS in a circle 64.

Thanks
Joe

[Joe]

..

[Joe]

Double post

[Bernhard]

German M1 helmet

Hi Klaus and TJ

I have read with great interrest the thread about the West German Helmet.
In my opinion the german made M1 clone is one of the hardest helmets to find.
I am a long time helmet collector and I only found two of them in the last years.
Here on http://www.elmetto.net// you can see some pics of one of these helmets.Just look at Euro-Clones written by Roger Lucy.
I once sent them an interior view of my helmet.


Best regards

Bernhard

[Gordon Craig]

Bernhard,

Thanks for your post and the URL to the helmet site. Good additional research material from Roger for this thread. Roger is a good friend but I didn't know he had embarked on another helmet book. I'll have to make sure I drop by and chat with him when I am home this summer.

Regards,

Gordon

[Klaus1989]

Thanks Bernhard. There was an alleged German M1 on ebay one time but it did not quite right so I turned down the oppurtunity.

It appears from site that Bundeswehr helmets used the following designations and M60, M62, etc. are collector designations like with WH helmets.

- M56 (M1): 1955-1959
- M1A1 mit FJ-60 Innenfutter ("M60"): 1960-1962
- M1A1 ("M62"): 1962-1981
- M1A1 Modifiziert (modified "M62): 1981-
- M1A1LL ("FJ Helm"): 1961-1994?

More BW helmets to collect! I knew about first three and last one, but not fourth. The one I posted is the first variety. Interesting that it is the same model to BW when the liner is entirely different. But then I guess M35 and M42 were both "Stahlhelm 35" to WH, regardless of external appearances. I have seen photos of steel helmets in use with BW as late as 2001 and some Reservisten may still use them.

regards
Klaus

[Guardian 5]

TJ
It's stamped on the inside back skirt LS in a circle 64.

Thanks
Joe

Joe - I believe the "LS" monogram belongs to Firma Linnemann & Schnetzer, post-war manufacturers of the M35/53. "64" could be either the shell size or date of manufacture; I'm inclined to believe the latter.

The attached picture depicts a lot of Berlin Police gear that came up for auction on Manion's in the 2002 time frame. This leads me to believe that your helmet was at one time issued to the Berlin police as the pictured helmet was ventless and gray just like yours.

Take care - TJ

[Joe]

Thanks TJ

[Mike G.]

I may have been without adverse intent, misquoted in post #67. My inference was to the East Germany and not West Germany.

Regardles, I came across this thread and thought I might add one example I have in my collection. I don't collect helmets or headgear per say, but as part of what I do collect, have occasion to have some helmet or headgear examples.

I primarily focus on East German military memorabilia, but due to military assignments during the Cold War in West Berlin, acquire when possible as part of what I collect, memorabilia associated with East and West Berlin. My military occupation in West Berlin was such that I worked closely with the West Berlin Police and a West Berlin Police KRIPO colleague gave this West Berlin Police Helmet to me.

[Mike G.]

Angled View:

[Mike G.]

Side View:

[Mike G.]

Inside/ Liner:

[Mike G.]

Stamp - inside rear of helmet apron.

[Mike G.]

Size Stamp - Liner:

[Mike G.]

Perforations in forehead sweatband part of liner: