German or Austro-Hungarian helmet

[Rhys]

I bought this at an UK auction. It was described as 'German M1918 helmet'. I think it is an A-H M1917 helmet. It seems to fit that description, except that the chinstrap is of leather and not fibre/hemp. And I wonder about the 3 cushions : they arhe sealed and not taped. There are no markings that I can see. Any thoughts?

 

[Kaiser Wilhelm II]

This is the M17 Austro Hungarian Helmet, you can tell this by the Chinstrap fixing points, witch are higher up on the skirt, whereas on the German version, it will be down at the bottom. You also can tell by the brown paint. It is an M17 because it has the Steel Liner band aswell. So it is Austrian, not German, and it is not M18, but M17, as you guessed. Personally I would say that it is Late 1917, possibly even an early 1918, because of the Leather chinstrap, of course its entirely possible that the strap has been replaced by someone over the years, but it looks original. Overall I would say its a good piece, even with the Chinstrap. The liner and pain are nice, something that is hard to find in an A-H helmet. Overall, on the current US Market, I would put a value of maybe $800-$900. Very good piece.

 

[Rhys]

This is the M17 Austro Hungarian Helmet, you can tell this by the Chinstrap fixing points, witch are higher up on the skirt, whereas on the German version, it will be down at the bottom. You also can tell by the brown paint. It is an M17 because it has the Steel Liner band aswell. So it is Austrian, not German, and it is not M18, but M17, as you guessed. Personally I would say that it is Late 1917, possibly even an early 1918, because of the Leather chinstrap, of course its entirely possible that the strap has been replaced by someone over the years, but it looks original. Overall I would say its a good piece, even with the Chinstrap. The liner and pain are nice, something that is hard to find in an A-H helmet. Overall, on the current US Market, I would put a value of maybe $800-$900. Very good piece.

Thanks. That's very helpful and reassuring. Rhys

 

[CLOVIS 57]

Beautiful Austrian Stahlhelm. However, the chinstrap is not in order. Both models are in beige canvas.

------First version: canvas strap with buckle.



---Second version, M18 quick-fit system. Always the fabric strap

 

[CLOVIS 57]

I said Austrian, because the Hungarian had a smaller and even higher chinstrap rivet.

 

[ccj]

Just learned something. I didn’t realize there was a Hungarian helmet. Assumed all were Austrian.

 

[Bobted]

Looks to have been stripped of black paint. Chinstrap looks Ww2 italian? possibly. Rob

 

[Kaiser Wilhelm II]

I did not know there was such a thing as specifically a Hungarian Helmet, I have never seen or heard of that. That is very interesting, and I now and going to seek to add one to my own collection