Liner question...

[Theodor]

Hi,

There is a thread going on about the RB numbers on different items. I had a look on some things and found some rb numbers, which posted in that thread.
But I would like to ask the helmet forum about one of these RB numbers. I found it on the metal liner ring of a no decal M42, maker NS. The metal liner ring is dated 1943, around the 1943 is written in circle the RB number, not manufacturer company name. Instead of name and town it is written obly BR Nr 0/0251/0111 Is this usual? I had never met it before, even on 1943 dated liners I have seen only manufacturer names, no rb numbers... Do you usually meet such liners?
BTW, the leather is marked RB Nr. 0/0250/0217
There is also a RB number on the chinstrap, but seems it is mis-stamped, it is very short - just 01/0130
Is it usual for the liner rings to have RB numbers? Is it usual for the chnistraps to have RB numbers instead of manufacturer name amd town?

[Adrian Stevenson]

Hi Theo, can't help you much with your questions. But here is a list of liner makers with their RB numbers:

Helmet Liner makers codes:
0/0317/0002: Thale
0/0250/0201: Firma Karl Heisler, Berlin
0/0471/0048: Schuberth-Werke, Braunschweig
0/0251/0111: Fa. W. Zahn, Berlin
0/0256/0038: Biedermann & Czarnikow
0/1035/0293: Litzmannstadt

Cheers, Ade.

[Theodor]

Thanks a lot, Ade!
BTW, why did they put names on some liners and only rb numbers on other? Did this start after some year or was made at the same time during the whole production time?

[Den]

Hi Theodor!

In 1943 the liner bands were stamped with the RBnr. In 1943 Production facilities were under attack day and night. The Allied forces knew were to bomb because all the information could be found on the equipment of the German soldiers. They introduced the RBnr to increase security. The allied forces didn't know from that number where the factories were.
It is normal that you find a RBnr on a 1943 dated liner.
It is also very normal to find the RBnr on the chinstrap and the leather. In later years and for security purposes, the RBnr was stamped on the leather liner to identify the manufacturer without revealing the name or location of the firm. Same here for the chinstrap.

I have attached a picture of a 1943 dated liner with a RBnr. Hope this helps

Kind Regards,
Dennis

[Den]

Theodor, here are some pictures of RBnr marked chinstraps

The pictures of the chinstraps come from Ken his site. Hope he didn't mind that I used these pictures for showing them to you. Ken if you do mind, my true apologies!!!!

Arriverdeci
Dennis

[Theodor]

Thanks a lot, Den! It makes sense, the RB numbers are so secret that even today the collectors have troublesds understanding them
Thanks for the pictures! Sorry, I can not show my nubers, bad camera...
Thanks!