B.T.H. Pickelhaube

[mjfur]

My Aunt found this Beat To Hell Pickelhaube in the attic.

I'm a WWII Luft collector, can someone please educate me?

The helmet seems to be leather or at least not metal. Does the red/white/black disk indicate a branch of service or just German colors?
Any idea on the stamping?

TIA,
Mike

[mjfur]

pic

[mjfur]

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[Gustaf B]

It is rough, but not that bad, it is an M1915 Prussian Pickelhaube, the Red white and black is the National Kockard, it should hava a black white and black cockade on the other side, the liner is in poor condition, but it is still there. The visor trim can be reattached, this is a nearly complete M15 that still has potential.
Best
gus

[MauserKar98k]

Not B.T.H. at all; it just a M15 Prussian that needs a little T.L.C.

As Gus above said, a Prussian cockade needs to be found the front visor can be reattached. It also needs to be put on a head form to ease it back into shape and so that the warping doesn't worsen.

I wish I could decypher the maker mark, but it doesn't seem to be on Colonel J's list of manufacturers. Someone else may be able to help in that area.

[Gustaf B]

That is not a usual location for a maker's mark, it is where one would normally find the unit mark, but that is not a unit mark.
Best
Gus
ps if you use a foam head to form the helmet, use some kind of barier between the foam and leather, as the foam heads will damage leather over time (some leathers it is a very short time)

[MauserKar98k]

That is not a usual location for a maker's mark, it is where one would normally find the unit mark, but that is not a unit mark.
Best
Gus
ps if you use a foam head to form the helmet, use some kind of barier between the foam and leather, as the foam heads will damage leather over time (some leathers it is a very short time)

I agree that it isn't the usual location for maker's marks, nevertheless, they can be found on the rear skirt in this location. Since this one isn't unit marked, we can't rule out the possibility that this might have been one of the "liberty bond" pickelhaubes.

Gus brings up a important point, there indeed should be a barrier between a foam head and the liner (unbleached muslin for example) to prevent further damage.

[Wilhelm]

In addition to the other comments I will say, it was free!!? Can't beat that price.
Wilhelm

[MauserKar98k]

In addition to the other comments I will say, it was free!!? Can't beat that price.
Wilhelm

You, sir, are a lucky man.