Name and rank in a M42 SD helmet

[Edelweiss]

Hello,

I'd like to have your opinion about the two letters - underlined twice ! - that stand before the owner's name here.
Is it "Ob" or "Db" ? And in any case what would they mean ? I guess It's perhaps the rank, but well...

Thanks

[Graeme L]

I think the letters are most likley to be Ob. That would refer to a number of ranks all starting with Ober...

Obersoldat,
Obergefreiten,
Oberfeldwebel,
Oberleutnant...

and so on.

Hope this helps a little.

Gee

[Edelweiss]

Oberst ?
The fact that you saw an "O" and not a "D" helps much. Thanks.
Any other opinions ?

[Edelweiss]

I can't believe nobody saw this before and / or has a theory about it.
C'mon...

[Rich G]

It looks like 'Db' to me. I would have thought if it was rank, it would be after the name , not before it, but I'm quite happy to accept that theory could be wrong.

I can't think of any other rank for Db or any others for Ob that haven't been mentioned previously.

IMO, I also think it looks too white and may not be period done.


Rich

[Edelweiss]

Rich, the rank always stands before the name ; I don't remember having ever seen one exception to this "rule" by now (even in gas mask tins). But if someone could give us an exemple, I would really be happy to see it, and then will never use the word "rule" again... (I swear )

Yes, I admit it looks quite white on the picture, but it's far to be the same "at the eye". Moreover, I've seen a few undubtful ones that are even whiter : have a look at the KM helmet posted by Jan in a new thread here.

Well, I guess I'll have to wait a bit more to have the confirmation to my theory (originally suggested by a US collector)...

Thanks for the help.

[Perry Floyd]

We may never know and only can go along with the suggestions above..
Here's one in that catagory, not sure with 100% what it could be..

[Edelweiss]

Is it a Polizei combat helmet ?

[Perry Floyd]

It's a M35 reissue, likely a Heer..