the soldier's initials are WB - Warner Brother? 
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Last edited by luftwaffenkopf; 03-06-2010, 12:12 AM. -
Wonderful the ebay bargain helmet surfaces!
Very unusual to boot, I love it, well done.
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Yeah what a result . Nice lid RobGod please take justin bieber and gave us dio backComment
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Nice! But why is it called an Ebay bargain?
W.Comment
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that is correct. i'm surprised that so many people know about it since i thought i snatched it just as it came out. sometimes Ebay is one big garage sale, pricewiseOriginally posted by C. Roelens View Post
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You beat me to it only by minutes. Nice grab!Originally posted by luftwaffenkopf View Postthat is correct. i'm surprised that so many people know about it since i thought i snatched it just as it came out. sometimes Ebay is one big garage sale, pricewise This helmet was posted by Mike in a previous thread on this forum.
ChuckComment
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ah that explains it. i noticed that there is a "censored" stamp on the inside piece of tape... must have been the return address/military post in Europe so it was probably sent to US during the war and not after. nice of our Gov to let the receiver know. now that's what i call transparency
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This helmet is very interesting to say the least.
I notice on the liner band that there is a square BKA stamp which reads "B.A.XIII., 1916" or "B.J.A.III., 1916" This stamp is really interesting and not seen that often on a steel helmet. Could you please confirm what it reads and that the date is 1916 or is it 1918 ? Is it "B.I.A.III" ?
What the stamp means is that the helmet has been refurbished at some stage during the war in a BKA depot and the helmet liner band has been a part put in by a depot during a repair or overhaul.
Are there any BKA stamps on the reverse side of the pouches holding the pads.
One of those stamps is a real find in a helmet,
ChrisLast edited by 90th Light; 03-07-2010, 05:05 AM.Comment
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best i can make out is "B A XIII" (the "A" is very thin) with "1916" underneath. no stamps appear on the reverse of pouches or fingers... i've seen these stamps on pickelhaubes only.Originally posted by 90th Light View PostComment
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I've had helmets before with similar stamps... they are very rare. I've never seen an original WWI leather chinstrap riveted the way yours is. I would be interested in what others have to say...Originally posted by luftwaffenkopf View Post
ChuckComment
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I'd say the depot repaired it as it's obviously a good strap?
W.Comment
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Thank you for your reply, not that long ago I was part of a very long thread where I reported the existance of these depots and their connection with steel helmets. My helmet which I was discussing in that thread also has a "BKA" stamp and I know it was obtained from an over-run BKA depot in 1918. Your helmet adds another example to my research.Originally posted by luftwaffenkopf View Post
On the chinstrap front, another veteran brought back helmet of mine has a chinstrap exactly like your one with the brass fittings and use of riverts rather than stitching. I can say without one hesitation of doubt that the chin strap on your helmet is 100% original. Mine came directly from the veteran's daughter many years ago and I will post an image of it on this thread as soon as I get a chance.
Best regards, ChrisComment
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Chris,Originally posted by 90th Light View Post
I believe the chinsrap is 100% original also. I have seen several original WWI leather chinstraps riveted with flat rivets. This is the first I've seen with circular rivets with the hole in the center. Maybe something produced out of that specific depot?
ChuckComment
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thanks for the comments fellas. check out what the 12 cent stamps looked like which were used for postage on this helmet and what they are worth now... http://values.hobbizine.com/stamps/us-1914-16.htmlComment
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