Lobster Tail Pickelhaube out of the woodwork

[checkit]

I know they are faking the hell out of these, but I got this under very auspicious circumstances - the moving sale of a prominent local family - 58 years at this location - and this is only one of many quality WW1/WW2 family heirlooms that I got there.

So am hoping it gets the thumbs up. It has not been touched, cleaned, restored in any way. NO REPLACEMENT PARTS. The patina is very light and I think a knowledgeable restorer could get this thing shining. The liner is pristine, with owner name and size label. The shell is stamped "Gbr. Israel - 1916".

Pictures are cursory, I know, but would enjoy some comments on this.

[checkit]

2

[Chip M]

All of the parts look OK, but the scaled chinstraps are wrong for this model and the front plate eagle is also for another pattern helmet. The inside is in outstanding condition.

It would be a bit of a project for someone to find the correct parts, but with patience it could be done.

Chip

[checkit]

Hmm - maybe a put-together straight out of the Francis Bannerman catalog.

Would it make sense to part it out to people who need a chinstrap, or already have the proper eagle?

[ww1czechlegion]

Hi Don,

Congratulations on this find and the others from the old estate.

Chip is correct on the chinscales and the eagle.

Do you have the brads for the spike base? In your photos, it looks as if all four retaining brads are missing.

The outside could be cleaned with a lot of work, and it doesn't look like there's any pitting, only surface rust on the exterior.

All the Best,

Alan

[jerryrehr]

My first thought was WOW what a great project.
Jerry

[checkit]

The four brads are missing. The rust patina is very light, and would come off with a mild solution of oxalic acid and baking soda.

[weirdpyramid]

Where on the helmet is this "Gbr. Israel - 1916" stamp? Are you sure that it isn't "GKR"? And what is the "Israel" part? That throws me off, are you sure it says that?

Is there a makers mark anywhere? Inside the shell of the helmet under the leather lining?

If you are interested in selling some parts I would be interested in the cockardes.

[joerookery]

Chris it is on the maker's mark list.

[weirdpyramid]

Chris it is on the maker's mark list.

Thanks Joe. I should have checked first.

I hadn't heard of that maker before.

[Chip M]

In addition, Gebrüder Israel made a bunch of things for the German army, most notably, steel messkits, canteens and cups.

Chip