" Fliegersturzhelm"...?

[Jos L C]

This afternoon we visited a small town and I decided to take a look in a antique shop..
They had some small WW2 items and a few helmets like a Sun helmet,Luftschutz..
I also discovered a,what I think was a Prussian version "Fliegersturzhelm"..
A all leather helmet with leather visor and neck protection with ear openings that have flaps and a thick rim all around and with a leather comb running from front to back..
No markings except for the size..
Is there someone who has a decent picture to show me/us and ofcourse,what would it be worth ?

Jos.

[Les]

Jos,

There are several leather "crash helmets" that look like the later war Fliegersturzhelm. I have one, but can't post pictures, although if you care to send me a PM with your email address I could send you a photo of mine. The one I have is black (there are some that have been painted feldgrau), and marked with Doberitz 1917 inside. During the Spartakust actions in the days right after the war, these helmets were used by police units in Berlin, and there are some well-known photos of them being worn.

During the early TR era, German para-military motorcycle units wore a helmet that looks almost identical to the wartime helmets, but with the addition of a large aluminum wreath and eagle/swasticka in the center, and a ribbon/scroll on the sides of the wreath. This badge was attached through holes made in the front of the helmet, and some of these have had the badges removed, and fake markings added to sell them for more than they would get otherwise.

There is also a Spanish leather helmet that looks similar to the German one, and also has a Spanish emblem attached to the front. The height of the helmet crown is lower than the German version, and even with the badge removed, it wouldn't fool someone who has handled the real thing.

I suspect Chip may have a photo on file. I haven't checked Kaiser's web-site recently, but he may have had Tony add a photo of one from his collection.

Price? Conditiion is important, but if everything is all there, and the leather is pliable, these would fetch a price not that far from what a fine Godet 1914 EKI with hooks (and possibly with the case) would bring.

Les

[Tony & Kaiser]

I haven't checked Kaiser's web-site recently, but he may have had Tony add a photo of one from his collection.

Sheesh. That little wiener dog is such a slave-driver!

More photos here>> http://www.kaisersbunker.com/flieger/f04.htm

<img src="http://www.kaisersbunker.com/flieger/f04.jpg">

[Jos L C]

Hello Les,

Thanks for the info..
There were no signs of eagles attached,just a plain,smooth helmet.
The visor showed little cracks in the leather,but the helmet was in great conditions.

these would fetch a price not that far from what a fine Godet 1914 EKI with hooks (and possibly with the case) would bring.

I don't know how much that is..,I'm into WW2 stuff normaly..

Tony,yes,that's a similar one,not the same though..
The visor of the one I've seen was curved seen from aside,it went straight from the "bumper" in a curved line,like on a visor cap,yours first has a small vertical part and goes straight forwards..,hard to explain for me in english..
Then the comb on top was a little thinner.
The liner looks the same and there was the same padded leather part inside the top of the helmet,without these centre stitching..
Maybe a different maker ?
Are all these types pre-war ?
And it was unmarked,is that a problem ?

Jos.

[Chip M]

Jos.,

I would say that the majority of the crash helmets that you find are without issue marks, so that is not a major problem. The first time a prospective pilot was exposed to these helmets was in flight training and indeed, most of the pictures you see of them being worn are training photos. Later, the experienced pilots tended to forego the helmets in favor of a leather flying cap.

Chip

[Jos L C]

Thanks for the info,guys..
I've made some pics,here it is..

What would be a decent price to pay for it ?

Jos.

[Jos L C]

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[Jos L C]

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[Jos L C]

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[Lucky Duck]

IMHO Not a WW1 German aviation item. I'm guessing post WW1 French tanker or something similar.

Ray

[Brian S]

Jos, something not quite right with that one.

[Chip M]

I agree, for a number of reasons, that this is a post WWI piece, possibly well into the 1930s.

Chip

[Daniel Murphy]

Jos le Conte,
My original has no padded leather inside and never had any. The grommets for ventilation are also wrong and the whole thing looks way too new. Like made last year new. Stay away from this unless it is cheap and you just want a repro display piece. I do not even think it is 30's.

Daniel Murphy

[Jos L C]

Jos le Conte,
My original has no padded leather inside and never had any. The grommets for ventilation are also wrong and the whole thing looks way too new. Like made last year new. Stay away from this unless it is cheap and you just want a repro display piece. I do not even think it is 30's.

Daniel Murphy

Hello Daniel,

Well,I can tell you this is a old helmet and in a rather good condition..,that's for sure..
Flash makes it appear a little new maybe.
The comb and bumper show a lot of very small cracks and it has the right ancient smell,also the visor shows a lot of cracks which are not artificialy done..
The body of the helmet is kinda fiber stuff..
The padding feels like having horsehair inside
Maybe this one is a bit of a mystery,but it's old and no fake..


Jos.