M17 Si 66 camouflage helmet

[C. Roelens]

Sorry for the delayed response Mario. I also believe the leather was replaced on your chinstrap. The hardware (especially the adjustment buckles) are in relic condition showing much wear and rust pitting. I'm sure the original leather would have departed from these parts in this condition a very long time ago. The black colored rough-out leather on the backside of the chinstrap is not normal for an original WWI era M16/M17 chinstrap. I have several original chinstraps on the loose and will post these to point out what I'm saying if you like. These type chinstraps with the steel hardware would also be found on Model 1915 leather and steel helmets.

Is it possible to get good clear close up pictures of the dark brown panels outside in natural light?

Chuck

[marvolo59]

Hallo Chuck, thank you for your opinion, here some other pics at the sun light.....this is the best I can do with my digital camera becouse is not easy to make a picture with the sun on these helmets because their reflected light....

[marvolo59]

06

[luftwaffenkopf]

agree on the chinstrap. also, it looks like the liner pins and the liner have been replaced.

[marvolo59]

Are you sure about pins? They have the same oxidation of the rim........; if it's true.......definitely they have been replaced at the time !!!

[C. Roelens]

WWI German M16/17 Chinstraps

Mario, the following original WWI German M16/17 chinstraps are most commonly found on the WWI German M17 steel combat helmet. You commented that you are not very familiar with these so I hope this helps you.

Chuck

[C. Roelens]

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[C. Roelens]

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[C. Roelens]

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[C. Roelens]

IMO, the regulation camo paint appears to be original. The black painted divider lines are much wider than normally found, but that's not a big deal. Also, the divider lines do not travel all the way to the rim edge. Again, no biggie, maybe a rush job or sloppy workmanship... don't know.

Because the chinstrap sends up a few red flags one has to take a much closer look at the rest of the helmet. I'm not convinced the liner is original to this shell either. Without an in hands inspection I will not commit one way or another. I see one re bent liner pin, and one (picture #11) that appears to be in the same relic condition as the chinstrap hardware.

Chuck

[marvolo59]

IMO, the regulation camo paint appears to be original. The black painted divider lines are much wider than normally found, but that's not a big deal. Also, the divider lines do not travel all the way to the rim edge. Again, no biggie, maybe a rush job or sloppy workmanship... don't know.

Because the chinstrap sends up a few red flags one has to take a much closer look at the rest of the helmet. I'm not convinced the liner is original to this shell either. Without an in hands inspection I will not commit one way or another. I see one re bent liner pin, and one (picture #11) that appears to be in the same relic condition as the chinstrap hardware.

Chuck

Thank you very much Chuck for your opinion and for chin strap display! So.......let me know on MP, if you have one to sell ....for my helmet...; I'm searching for that!!
An old collector told me that often the divisions in black color, was made with the finger .... maybe that also explains the more 'great size and processing less accurate .....; what do you think about it?
Thank you!

[C. Roelens]

Mario,

The finger-wide black lines came from an Order in July of 1918. I attached an excerpt from Baer's book. The width of these lines varied.

Chuck

[C. Roelens]

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[marvolo59]

[jerryrehr]

Looks 100% period helmet to me.
Jerry