Prussian 1906 Field-Gray Versuchshelm

[ussguppy]

Hello, I got this recently. It's a cloth covered leather body with the pop up rear visor. This is outside my wheelhouse, so thoughts and opinions are welcome.

I really like these weird versions.

Gabe

 

[Sandmann]

Congratulations to this new helmet. It’s a fine one

 

[Lars13]

Hi Gabe,
Looks like a Versuchshelm (trial helmet) from 1906, when they were running field trials on field grey uniforms and equipment, quite a rare bird
The spike on top has been replaced, it used to have a spike without studs and elongated holes, and the special disc on the inside of the helmet that would hold the spike is missing. Still a very nice find.
Regards,
Lars

Source: "Die deutsche Armee im Ersten Weltkrieg", Jürgen Kraus, 2004

 

[pickelhauben]

Gabe ,
You hit a home run here.

 

[Kaiser Wilhelm II]

Certainly nothing I have ever seen before. Very cool helmet and Congratulations on obtaining it.

 

[Amybellars]

I saw this helmet on a reference book. Will look for it tmr

 

[Pontiac9999]

I love it! Very rare

 

[HatEnjoyer]

Congrats on finding such an interesting helmet!

 

[ussguppy]

Hi Gabe,
Looks like a Versuchshelm (trial helmet) from 1906, when they were running field trials on field grey uniforms and equipment, quite a rare bird
The spike on top has been replaced, it used to have a spike without studs and elongated holes, and the special disc on the inside of the helmet that would hold the spike is missing. Still a very nice find.
Regards,
Lars

Source: "Die deutsche Armee im Ersten Weltkrieg", Jürgen Kraus, 2004

Thanks Lars! I'll definitely take a look into that.
Gabe

 

[ussguppy]

I saw this helmet on a reference book. Will look for it tmr

Thanks, any leads on information is very useful. Appreciate it Amy!
Gabe

 

[Amybellars]

Hi Gabe

I got the reference.

Here's the pics

 

[ussguppy]

Hi Gabe

I got the reference.

Here's the pics

Wow, thank you so much Amy!

 

[Amybellars]

No problem. U have got a real treasure. Just have to wait for the right spike. Congrats

 

[ussguppy]

I appreciate you and Lars educating me on what it is!

 

[argonne]

Hi,
You have here a very fine and scarce Haube! I also own a very similar one but with another spike pattern. I think yours also had such a scarce spike pattern but has been later replaced by a classic one.
Yes, it is a 1906 Versuchshelmet that has been tested in the KJR145 in Metz (as shown on one of the following picts), in the Lehr Infanterie Bataillon (Berlin) and in the Grenadier Regiment 3 (Königsberg). In the west, center and east side of the Reich.
This special pattern has been documented in the Kraus:















Philippe

 

[argonne]

The six guys in the middle have their spikes unscrewed and the wappen removed. The pattern is the one as shown in the Kraus book and as my specimen.

Philippe

 

[Stosstrupp]

Nice helmets and what a nice KIR 145 picture

 

[John Josef]

I have the same opinion as others, super rare 1906 Versuchshelmet even with the correct spike missing.

When I first looked at the pictures, I thought it was the same helm listed by a member on the WA forum last week.

I love it and have been looking for one forever, where the hell are you, guys finding them?

Just some info, Johan has some very nice pictures in his latest books for additional reference.

 

[Steve Nick]

That's quite a score Gabe!

That's a very rare helmet. I have only ever seen one of these "in the flesh".

 

[John Josef]

Amazing example Philippe Congratulations