115th Hessen Pickelhaube question

[nzef1940]

I would appreciate thoughts on the following please, it is unmarked apart from the 1915 date , this confuses me as it has pre 1915 silvered fittings?

Any advice appreciated, thanks in advance.

 

[Tony without Kaiser]

There are a few things here to consider. The rollover from Neusilber and brass fittings to the M1915 steel fittings was introduced on 28 June 1915, with Bayern (Bavaria) also adopting the pattern on 11 Nov 1915.

On 29 June 1915 soldiers did not wake up with shiny new M1915 helmets from the Helmet-Fairy. The conversations would have been ongoing right to the end of The War. Helmets made prior to the change, would have been made with Neusilber and brass fittings like normal. So a 1915 date is common to find.

Then you have to factor in, that these helmets continued to be made for the Friedensuniform (peacetime uniform) right up to 1918. That’s how we find leather helmets in pre-war fittings dated 1916, 1917, and 1918.

 

[nzef1940]

There are a few things here to consider. The rollover from Neusilber and brass fittings to the M1915 steel fittings was introduced on 28 June 1915, with Bayern (Bavaria) also adopting the pattern on 11 Nov 1915.

On 29 June 1915 soldiers did not wake up with shiny new M1915 helmets from the Helmet-Fairy. The conversations would have been ongoing right to the end of The War. Helmets made prior to the change, would have been made with Neusilber and brass fittings like normal. So a 1915 date is common to find.

Then you have to factor in, that these helmets continued to be made for the Friedensuniform (peacetime uniform) right up to 1918. That’s how we find leather helmets in pre-war fittings dated 1916, 1917, and 1918.

Many thanks Tony

Much appreciated, especially the ‘helmet fairy’ comment which gave me a chuckle.

This helmet is well worn and feels very honest.

 

[nzef1940]

——

 

[2nd.Leibhusar]

To reassure you...my DR18 helmet, dated 1915, is also entirely in silver .

 

[nzef1940]

Thanks, another comparable example:

Hessen Pickelhaube für Mannschaften im Leibgarde-Infanterie-Regiment (1. Großherzoglich Hessisches) Nr. 115 - Hessen-Darmstadt - Imperial Germany & Weimar Republic: uniforms, spike helmets, etc. - Military Antiques

Hessen Pickelhaube für Mannschaften im Leibgarde-Infanterie-Regiment (1. Großherzoglich Hessisches) Nr. 115 Friedensstandort Darmstadt, 1915. Kammerstück in Friedensqualität. Lederhelm, komplett mit allen Beschlägen in Neusilber. Das Helmemblem mit doppeltem Lorbeer- und Eichenlaubkranz,

www.weitze.com

 

[CLOVIS 57]

Hello,
I agree with what Tony said. A helmet made between January and May 1915 must be made of brass or nickel silver.
I would add that you do have an M15 from the 115 Leib-Infanterie-Regiment Hessois. This regiment is an exception with the 109 GR Badois, the helmets remained in nickel silver even after April 1915. With the helmet cover, camouflage was assured.
On the other hand I made a comparison on the French forums between a helmet M95 and a helmet M15 of the 115 LIR Hessois.

The differences are :
---M95 marked 115 LIR is better nickel silver.
---The tip chimney is wider and less flared.
---The lion puts its left paw on the leaves.
---the lion's 2 tails are far apart.
---The front plate is well defined, particularly the foliage, and the star has pointed rays.
------The front plate is made of high-quality genuine nickel silver. (zinc, nickel, copper).



M15 is no marked or RBA XVIII is made of low-grade aluminium-zinc alloy. As a result, the tip is nickel-plated.
---The tip chimney is thinner and more flared.
---The lion's left paw seems to be pushing back the leaves, the paw looks more like a frog's paw.
---The lion's 2 tails are tighter.
---The quality of the plate design is poorer, the star shows rounded rays at the end.
------The front plate is now made from an aluminium-zinc alloy with very little copper, making it grey and matt.


There are a few other details that make a difference, but here are the essentials.

N.B. It's rare, but you can find a hybrid helmet, for example an old pre-war 115 LIR, with an RBA 18 front lion in Kriegsfertigung.

 

[nzef1940]

Many thanks for the superb analysis.

I also want a M95 now!