I know this isn't a valuable helmet but I love the history and origin. It came from a well known Estonian digger and through a couple sources I'm able to confirm the locations where it came from:
"This helmet is certainly from either the positions of 9 or 11 Kompanie Danmark , both were in static defensive positions in the Tannenburg line which ran across the Sinimaed , 9 Kompanie was SE of the Kinderheim near Chundinurk close to the Narva / Tallinn rail line, 11 Kompanie and the Panzervernichtungszug was NE of the Kinderheim aprrox 200-300 metres in front of the hill."
Another source later gave me more information confirming a 9 Kp origin.
"9 Kompanie defended the initial Soviet assault before withdrawing to new postions close to the Btl HQ of III Danmark . 11 Kompanie was overrun in the initial Russian attack and elements fought on in the trenches and bunkers behind the Russian lines for about 3 days , most were killed , wounded or captured but a few escaped North over the Rollbahn into the positions of the De Ruyter Regiment of Nederland."
I had posted pics of this helmet from the day I received it. I knew it was a rough relic but when I received it from Estonia it was literally falling apart.
So I decided that it was headed for the garbage can or would be dust in a matter of weeks so I decided to stop the decay by gently cleaning it in war soapy water drying in the sun and painting it with many coats of clear laquer finishing up with a few coats of dullcote.
So here we are 18 months later and it's still here and I haven't seen a spec of metal rust dust under the helmet in it's case. So it appears like it's going to stay with me for a while.
I know a bit about it... I read Tragedy of the Faithful by Wilhelm Tieke so I feel like I know Rgt 24, Kp 9 fairly well. It could have belonged to one of the many NCO's that fell in that position. But I don't know the mfg of the helmet (I don't know shapes well enough to make the call. But on close examination I can see the original finish where it's remaining... is very clean and in great shape. Many SS helmets on Sinimaed had covers or winter paint on them but this one is very clean. Upon examination you can see the decal is in excellent condition, you can even see the very slight period scratches on the decal itself. I almost think I see light smudges on the front bill of the helmet like maybe a bit of winter paint?? But it's all a mystery.
Can you guys make any more fun educated guesses about it?
"This helmet is certainly from either the positions of 9 or 11 Kompanie Danmark , both were in static defensive positions in the Tannenburg line which ran across the Sinimaed , 9 Kompanie was SE of the Kinderheim near Chundinurk close to the Narva / Tallinn rail line, 11 Kompanie and the Panzervernichtungszug was NE of the Kinderheim aprrox 200-300 metres in front of the hill."
Another source later gave me more information confirming a 9 Kp origin.
"9 Kompanie defended the initial Soviet assault before withdrawing to new postions close to the Btl HQ of III Danmark . 11 Kompanie was overrun in the initial Russian attack and elements fought on in the trenches and bunkers behind the Russian lines for about 3 days , most were killed , wounded or captured but a few escaped North over the Rollbahn into the positions of the De Ruyter Regiment of Nederland."
I had posted pics of this helmet from the day I received it. I knew it was a rough relic but when I received it from Estonia it was literally falling apart.
So I decided that it was headed for the garbage can or would be dust in a matter of weeks so I decided to stop the decay by gently cleaning it in war soapy water drying in the sun and painting it with many coats of clear laquer finishing up with a few coats of dullcote.
So here we are 18 months later and it's still here and I haven't seen a spec of metal rust dust under the helmet in it's case. So it appears like it's going to stay with me for a while.
I know a bit about it... I read Tragedy of the Faithful by Wilhelm Tieke so I feel like I know Rgt 24, Kp 9 fairly well. It could have belonged to one of the many NCO's that fell in that position. But I don't know the mfg of the helmet (I don't know shapes well enough to make the call. But on close examination I can see the original finish where it's remaining... is very clean and in great shape. Many SS helmets on Sinimaed had covers or winter paint on them but this one is very clean. Upon examination you can see the decal is in excellent condition, you can even see the very slight period scratches on the decal itself. I almost think I see light smudges on the front bill of the helmet like maybe a bit of winter paint?? But it's all a mystery.
Can you guys make any more fun educated guesses about it?
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