Two Jager zu Pferde helmets

[Steve Nick]

After acquiring a 2nd M15 Jager zu Pferde helmet recently I was struck by the difference in the tone of the "gun blue" finish on these two helmets.

Both helmets were made by C.E. Juncker in 1916 yet the one I've had for many years has a silver/blue finish while the recent acquisition in the foreground has a considerably darker tone to it. It doesn't show up as dramatically in the photo but the one n the foreground is almost black in hand.

I would have thought that there would be more consistency in colouration coming from a well known manufacturer in helmets made in the same year. Looks like the Juncker folks didn't have very good lot repeatability in their plating process.

I'd have to think that had the kaiser been reviewing a Jager zu Pferde regiment wearing different coloured helmets there would have been a comment or two made.

 

[J.LeBrasseur]

Great looking helmets Steve, no idea on the treament, but I like them both

James

 

[Steve Nick]

Thanks James.

Maybe at some point they decided to darken the colour to make them less conspicuous? Then again, an Uberzug solves that problem easily.

 

[J.LeBrasseur]

Thanks James.

Maybe at some point they decided to darken the colour to make them less conspicuous? Then again, an Uberzug solves that problem easily.

Makes sense

 

[JohnS3rd]

Consider that war time condition, the initial call up, many skilled workers were in the reserves. I’m sure Junker, lost many skilled technicians to the conflict. This along with shortages in chemicals required using bluing longer etc. etc. may all contributed to the difference in finish on the helmets. Just a swag on my part.
Best regards
John

 

[ww1czechlegion]

Nice looking JzP helmets Steve, congratulations!

Best Wishes,

Alan

 

[Tony without Kaiser]

Jäger zu Pferde helmets were black manganese parkerized. On wartime JzP Metalhelme, it often seems like the finish is fading away. Many to raw metal. Once a year, like the firearms and side arms, I apply CLP (gun oil) to all Metalhelme. It looks great and keeps the humidity at bay. Those are marvellous helmets Steve.

 

[JzPf]

Good looking pair, Steve, congrats!

 

[John Josef]

Very nice Steve Congratulations, I think it's all a matter of how they've been stored and cared for.

Sound advice from Tony

 

[Steve Nick]

Thanks for your interest and comments folks.

Like Tony, I have been applying a very thin layer of gun oil on my metal helmets and edged weapons blades, although I've switched to mineral oil on my Japanese Nihinto/Samurai blades on the advice of some of the more advanced collectors.

 

[Bobted]

Another great pair. Rob

 

[b.loree]

I would also suggest "environmental issues" in some cases....helmets which have survived living in clouds of tobacco smoke.

 

[Grabenmaxx]

Those are skne great looking helmets. Would love to own a lobster tail one day.

 

[Peter B]

Mine - thanks to a fellow member a while back.

 

[Steve Nick]

Mine - thanks to a fellow member a while back.

Peter:

That doesn't look like a Junckers helmet. Out of curiosity, who was the maker?

 

[coert65]

It looks like a Otto Nachtigall Berlin marked example, but I cannot read it very clear though.

 

[Peter B]

Peter:

That doesn't look like a Junckers helmet. Out of curiosity, who was the maker?

You got me! I'll have to check when I get home.

 

[Khukri]

Mine.

Helbing u. Sackewitz-1916

 

[Steve Nick]

Mine.

Helbing u. Sackewitz-1916

A very nice example and one that I find interesting.

It has the same colouration as the helmet that I showed in the foreground of my original post.

Thanks for sharing those photos.

 

[Khukri]

My pleasure.