Hello, I have what I believe is a tschako to a Prussian Garde Jaeger / Schutzen officer - black cloth covered body, no ventilation holes, gilt or brass chin scales, no cockades other than a Prussian other ranks field cockade. The liner is of leather with flat topped tonguesThe outline of the missing helmet plate is that of a large 8-pointed star, which appears to be consistent with the plate of the Prussian Garde units (although I have a vague idea that there was a Saxon Train unit that wore the fore & aft peaked Prussian style tshako?). Inside the helmet, stamped in various places in mauve is the outline of a small rectangle, containing the words "Paul Borschardt Luben". These have been applied too untidily to have been placed there by the manufacturer, I think, so perhaps these are the details of the owner of the helmet? I believe that Luben was a base for units of the Prussian Garde Jaeger / Schutzen. I'm not in a position to check the details, I may be wrong in giving the name "Borschardt". has anyone any suggestions concerning researching this man please? Or as to what unit this helmet did actually belong to?
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Leigh
I am confused with your description of your helmet. Can you post pics of the tschako? For reference, here is a couple of pics on a guard jaeger officers tschako, if it helps.
Regards
Dave -
Here is a closeup of the plate. Note that both the prussian guard and the saxon plates have eight points, but the guard star has a ribbon through it, so check for the impression of your plate.Comment
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Here is the interior.Comment
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Hi, thanks for the reply. The exterior body of the helmet that I have is as per your photos, cloth covered body without ventilation discs and with leather top, bottom band & front & rear peaks, & the chinscales are similar. Basically, take the helmet plate & chinscale cockade off the tscako in your photos & replace the officers quality field cockade with a Prussian other ranks black & white felt one, & the helmets are identical from the outside. The lining of mine however is similar to that of an other ranks pickelhaube, a series of leather tongues which are straight ended rather than rounded, & secured with a lace - there is no sign of there ever having been a cloth section to the lining. I had read a long time ago that this was correct for such officers headgear from the 1880's - 1890's, & is a dating feature along with presence or lack of ventilation discs, reichcockade etc. The outline of the missinghelmet plate is as I recall, consistent with that of the Prussian Garde rather than Saxon star. I'm not able to check the helmet or post photos at the moment as I'm stuck up a mountain in the jungle in East Timor (at least the generator is working so I've got access to this computer), I should be able to get to UK & post photos about the middle of January. I had considered that the helmet may have been used in the field in WWI, perhaps with a cover & other ranks cockade & even other ranks helmet plate.
Thanks for the interest & the information, obviously I'd like to positively identify what I have & then set about locating the missing helmet plate etc............ Leigh.Comment
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Tscako.
Sorry, trying to post photos, but not authorised..........Originally posted by feldgrau daveComment
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Leigh-
You must be a member of the Association in order to post photos. If you can take snaps and e-mail them to somebodyor one of the Moderators- & they can try and post them. I don't have Adobe, so I can't size any pictures, but others have been kind and resized snaps for me. I'd like to see the helmet.Comment
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Thanks, I'll do that - it'll be interesting to discover whether the thing's Prussian military or Dutch postal services or whatever.....Originally posted by McCullohComment
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Leigh
I believe you have nice Model 1871 officer's guard/schutzen tschako constructed prior to 1880. A national cockade would not be worn and an officer's field badge, when found, will cost you about $200 usd. I have seen a couple of enameled officer's stars over the years, so don't get discouraged. I am posting your pics to the forum for others than may have an opinion on your tschako
Regards
DaveComment
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Side viewComment
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Pre 1880 linerComment
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Presumed costume company's stampComment
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Thanks.
Thanks for posting the photos & for the info. I'd checked up on this helmet as best I could a few years ago, & found dates for use of the style of liner etc, but needed somebody with proper knowledge of the subject to confirm my tentative conclusions. I'd sent a query with photos to a well known military museum in Britain & was told that this helmet was WWI Saxon, which confused me somewhat. A Garde helmet star was listed in an auction catalogue in Britain a few years ago, but I could'nt get to the location & the resident authority on such items was away so another member of staff had a look at the plate & told me over the phone that it looked repro, not worth a couple of hundred pounds. I wonder, might have missed out there. I'm pleased that it's not a Dutch postmans helmet anyway. I'll sign up for the association & then start looking for the missing bits - & posting more photos & queries.......thanks again........Comment
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