My Ersatz collection

Shes even more beautiful close up, hey a few bumps and bruises but it's been there and done that just like me :LOL:

I love it congratulations (y)(y)
 
AB,
Welcome to the forum! Your collection is really great, and I too appreciate your close up photo of the canvas pickelhaube, as it shows us what correct looks like. Thank you for sharing.
Best regards,
John
 
Gents, thanks for the compliments on this helmet. Again, I absolutely love this one. I will of course post more of my collection, but I also would like any info on the manufacturers of them. Starting with the cork ersatz, does anyone know who made these? Was it similar to the Van der Hayden kit helmets in that other manufacturers were allowed to build under a license (in this case under Ludwig Bortfeldt)? Or was it an entirely different manufacturer?
 
IMG_1262.jpegIMG_1263.jpegIMG_1264.jpegIMG_1265.jpegSome up close photos of the cotton cloth. The cloth seems to have been stitched together from a few separate pieces and then covered over the helmet. The patterns will sometimes vary on these pickelhauben. On the last photo is an upclss shot of the front visor. Note the two different pattens of cloth; the one on the left is less grainy than the one on the right
 
IMG_1269.jpegIMG_1266.jpegIMG_1268.jpegIMG_1267.jpeg
The signature design of these ersatz helmets is the imitation leather than runs the bottom circumstance. Its color gives an idea of the original cloth color. The orenleder underneath the cockades is made of leather and is usually rotted away on these. This ones’ in remarkable condition
 
IMG_1256.jpegIMG_1271.jpegIMG_1272.jpegIMG_1255.jpegThe felt color on this one, while dirty, is red. These also have been found in pink and green. The drawstring is identical to a normal felt that I own. The last photo shows shows that a leather wedge that holds the wappen has been replaced by a small twig
 
IMG_1270.jpegThis definitely saw service during the war. The bottom stamp and the one above have been found on a few other of these birds. The bottom is for 1st battalion, reserve infantry regiment 50, and above that one is for infantry regiment 137. The one on the very left is harder to make out, but I think it’s for infantry regiment 163, 166, or 168.
 
Yes, ersatz manufactured in 1914 for the war.
On the other hand, 168R is unlikely because it was made by Hess, and therefore with the Lion, whose fastenings and eyelets are not in the same position.
Not RJR50 but RJR60 because the RJR60 is the reserve regiment of 137JR. Both are garrisoned at Haguenau (Alsace).

Très agréable 🤗

Here are 2 other helmets from the 137JR, one in leather, and a second in cork with a canvas lining. 137JR BA XV.jpg137R Entoilé jonc toile cirée Hgn.jpg
 
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CLOVIS 57 said:
Yes, ersatz manufactured in 1914 for the war.
On the other hand, 168R is unlikely because it was made by Hess, and therefore with the Lion, whose fastenings and eyelets are not in the same position.
Not RJR50 but RJR60 because the RJR60 is the reserve regiment of 137JR. Both are garrisoned at Haguenau (Alsace).

Very nice 🤗
Click to expand...
Thanks for info correction Clovis. Makes sense for this pickel to stay within the same units.
 
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