Memorabilia

Prussian Enlisted Helmet with Camouflage Cover

This camouflage cover was likely placed on the helmet by a collector, as we can tell through artifact phrenology that it does not currently mount cockades or a chinstrap, but it is stretched taut to the point of resisting removal, is soiled in all the right places, and just looks GREAT on display.  With that in mind, and  anticipating that removal and replacement would be not only tedious but also risks damage to the cover fabric and helmet rear visor, we decided to simply leave it in place.  It is apparent that the helmet is a decent M15 enlisted issue example with a Prussian wappen, which is attached through the original set of grommeted holes.  Rear visor retains its shape well.  Interior has a good brown leather liner with normal wear along the edges.  If there ever was an issue or maker stamp on the interior rear visor, it is no longer visible.  Spike base and all fittings appear undisturbed.  Cover is plain feldgray cotton fabric without numerals or further distinction; has soil and stains which would make it fit right in for a wartime trench display. 

$400 - $500

Officer Pickelhaube With Braunschweig Infantry Regiment 92 Wappen

A reproduction of an Imperial German Officer quality private purchase helmet featuring the wappen from Infantry Regiment 92; black leather spiked helmet has brass hardware including rear spine without ventilation opening.  Wearer's right side has Reich cockade, and the left does as well, with curved brass chinscales.  Spike has top which is removable for installation of a haarbusche.  Frontplate is retained to the helmet via screw posts.  Body of the helmet has heavily lacquered finish.  Rear visor is bent on one side.  Front visor has constricted by just a small bit, peakmount still fits securely.  Front and rear visor stitching remains solid and intact.  Has good pliable original leather chinstrap with traces of blackened finish. Interior has brown leather sweatband with some minor damage and light olive crown liner.  Interior of front visor has green leather lining; interior of the rear visor has red cloth lining. 

JR92 helmets are vanishingly rare, very desirable, and thus also heavily faked on the market.  My initial conclusion and description for this was that it was a mix of original and reproduction parts, but one of our very good friends who has forgotten more about pickelhauben than I will ever know kindly advised us that it is a reproduction.  At the very least, it looks very impressive on display as a stand-in for a helmet that is quite difficult to find. 

$300 - $500

Austro-Hungarian & Imperial German Schirmütze Boxes & Helmet Case Lot

Includes two hat boxes for schirmützen, one with a soldier's property label on the lid and the other with a nice large maker label on the side.  Also includes a transit case for a spike helmet, marked with a soldier's name and unit on one side, lined in steel gray cushioned fabric and complete with leather straps intact.  Lot also includes a very nice reinforrced black leather carrying case for an Austrian Dragoon officer's dress helmet with cushioned chamois interior lining.  Nice items to add context to a headgear display. 

$200-$300

Prussian M1915 Jäger Shako

Enlisted issue shako has black lacquered leather body which remains in very nice overall condition.  Obverse has wartime gray Prussian shako size frontplate, which is retained through the original set of grommeted holes by leather wedges.  Shako has an original black leather chinstrap with gray hardware which secures National cockade.  Chinstrap is original and intact but has been heavily oiled.  Crown has a small size Prussian field badge.  Interior of the crown has "1916" date and maker's stamp.  Brown leather combination sweatband and liner is pliable and remains in good condition, shows wear and has some fragile spots but has escaped being oiled and is complete with the original draw cord.  Shako remains in excellent overall condition without visor deformity or any or the other problems that normally are found with these. 

$500 - $700

Prussian Garde Jäger Bataillon Enlisted Shako

M1915 enlisted issue shako has black lacquered leather body in very nice shape; obverse has gray metal Prussian Garde Jäger frontplate retained by leather wedges through the original and only set of grommeted holes, worn but pliable original black leather chinstrap, Reichs cockade and Prussian field badge.  Interior has 1916 dated Gardekorps issue stamp, and (incongruously) a unit stamp for the 1st Train Battalion. Has worn but pliable and black leather adjustable sweatband and liner with several fingers torn through or otherwise damaged.  Visors and shako body have finish craquelure but remain in very good condition without deformity. 

$500 - $700

Model 1894 Cuirassier Enlisted Spiked Helmet

The M1894 is distinguished from the earlier M1889 by M91 sideposts for chinstrap and cockade attachment.  This example has a nice mellow steel patina with some minor discoloration and oxidation, primarily on the front visor.  Removable spike is the shorter version with beaded lower edge which is correct for a pickelhaube.  Interior of the crown has 1916 dated maker stamp, though the spike and fittings are plain steel matching the helmet which suggests that this example was made before feldgrau fittings were formalized for Cuirassier helmets in October of that year.  Obverse has a feldgrau Prussian wappen.  Sides have Prussian and Reichs cockades secured by a heavily worn and oiled black leather chinstrap with gray fittings.  Interior has a good condition brown leather liner; helmet body is painted black on the interior and the front visor interior is painted green.  $600 - $800

The M1894 is distinguished from the earlier M1889 by M91 sideposts for chinstrap and cockade attachment.  This example has a nice mellow steel patina with very light patina.  Interior of the crown has "HELBING u. SACKEWITZ 1916" maker stamp, though the spike and fittings are plain steel matching the helmet which suggests that this example was made before feldgrau fittings were formalized for Cuirassier helmets in October of that year.  Obverse has a feldgrau Prussian wappen.  Sides have Prussian and Reichs cockades secured by a broken but original black leather chinstrap with brass fittings.  Interior has a good condition black leather liner; helmet body is painted black on the interior and the front visor interior is painted green.  $800 - $1200

Imperial German WWI Camouflaged M16 Helmet

Model 1916 stalhelm retains ~75% original camouflage painted finish worked in an interesting wave pattern around the helmet of dark green segments with black bordered ocher tan segments within, and dark brown crown extending down in the gaps between the green 'waves'.  This seems like one of those patterns that is memorable enough that someone will eventually luck out and find an original period photo of a frontschwein wearing one painted in this fashion.

Retains two of the three correct original liner pins, lacks the liner.  Interior has "BF 6(?)" size stamp from the maker F.C. Bellinger.  

$500 - $600

Imperial German Camouflaged M16 Helmet With Replacement Reproduction Liner

An interesting variant original camo M16; retains ~80% camouflage finish worked freeform flowing segments of ocher tan, brick red, dark green, and mustard brown, without separating lines.  Liner pins are reproductions painted to match the camo, and the liner is a decent quality reproduction that someone has tried (unsuccessfully) to age to match the helmet.  A reproduction chinstrap has been added as well.  Helmet interior has depot rework size stamp "64" in the rear skirt, and the side is marked "BF 6(?)" with partially legible F.C. Bellinger maker's size stamp. 

$500 - $600

Imperial German WWI Camouflaged M16 Helmet

Model 1916 stalhelm retains ~80% original camouflage painted finish worked medium and large size irregular flowing lozenges of dark green, dark feldgrau, and light brown, with thin black separating lines.  Interior has nice soldier's painted marking on the rear skirt "WITTMANN 10/111"  Tattered remains of a chinstrap cling to one of two heavily modified chinstrap attachment ends.  

Retains all three correct original liner pins, lacks the liner.  Interior has "W 66" size stamp from the maker Hermann Weissenburger & Co., who was tooled up to make only size 66 shells.

$500 - $600

Imperial German Camouflaged M16 Helmet With Replacement Reproduction Liner

A rather nice original camo M16; retains ~75% camouflage finish worked in wedges from a central point in the crown, using tank, dark green, and brick red with thick black separating lines.  Retains all three liner pins, but the liner is (in my opinion) a rather nice quality reproduction.  A reproduction chinstrap has been added as well.  Helmet interior has faint name inscription in the rear skirt, and the side is marked "W" with partially legible size.  "W" corresponds to maker Hermann Weissenburger & Co., Stuttgart-Cannstatt, who made only size 66 shells. 

$600 - $800

Model 16 steel helmet has ~75-85% camouflage finish, blending with dark patina on the worn areas.  The camouflage is applied in geometric segments of dark green, brown, and ocher brown, with 1cm width black separation lines.  The interior has "BF64" stamped maker and size marking of F.C. Bellinger, with ink stamp "64" in the skirt.  Interior has ~60% feldgrau finish with patina and light oxidation on the remainder.  1917 pattern leather liner band has a very nice intact original liner, with brown leather pads worn and stained a bit from wear, no pull-throughs on the tabs, and all three have the removable cushions installed.  Left front liner pin is a collector's replacement, the right and rear are original and appear to also be original to the helmet.  Other than the one replaced pin, a particularly nice camo German helmet.  800-1200

Model 1916 stahlhelm retains 80% dark oxidized field gray finish, with black and white painted Hohenzollern crest on the left side and a red painted unit numeral "7" on the reverse crown, indicating that the helmet was used by a member of one of the Guard Artillery regiments.  Interior has 1917 pattern metal liner band with all three correct original attachment pins, lacks the leather liner pads and chinstrap.  Left interior side has maker's code and size "ET 64" from Eisenhüttenwerke Thale A.G.  $800 - $1000

Imperial German Camouflaged M.16 Helmet

A very nice example; retains 80%+ original camouflage painted finish worked in large flowing segments of military brown, dark green, and brick red with thick black separating lines.  Interior has "Si.66" Eisenhüttenwerk Schlesien maker's size stamp, 1917 pattern metal liner band with all three white leather liner cushions.  One of these has two of the fingers torn through, all of them are heavily soiled from service use but remain in good pliable condition.  Side posts have the broken remains of an original brass mounted chinstrap.  

$1200 - $1500

Imperial German WWI Shellfire Damaged M16 Helmet & Bonus Lot

Of primary interest is a battlefield relic German M16 helmet shell with traces of feldgrau finish amid dark oxidized patina; front of the crown has been pierced by a shell fragment creating a large irregular hole which enters through the front, with a small hole in the back and a large crack extending from the brim to the top of the crown.  Interior has maker and size mark that is somewhat visible but not at all legible.  Includes a battle-damaged M16 leather liner with all three pads, damage in the front appears to line up correctly with the damage on the helmet, but stains and paint wear on the interior of the shell tend to indicate that it had a 1917 pattern metal liner band rather than the 1916 leather band, but all the same - nice to have an original liner in the lot!  Lacks liner pins and chinstrap.

Lot also includes a M16 helmet shell that has an overall dark oxidized patina; large disc washers affixed to replacement liner pins would tend to indicate that the helmet was repurposed at some point.

$100 - $200

German M16 Helmet Lot: Three Restorations

First is an M16 helmet which has exterior camouflage painted finish that in my opinion is not one applied by anyone wearing feldgrau or even olive drab, but more likely this was done within recent memory.  Camo is worked in mid-size geometric lozenges of dirty egg white, mustard tan, light green, earth brown, church bus blue, olive drab, dandelion yellow, and midnight blue with thick black separating lines.  Interior has M17 metal liner band with pins that have clearly been removed and replaced, suggesting that the feldgrau interior paint was redone at some time as well, likely when two liner cushions which have separated from the band were carefully and skillfully reinforced with backing material and reattached to the band.  A good quality replica chinstrap is looped over the brim.

Second example is an M16 with what appears to be a good original feldgrau finish on the exterior; interior has been repainted and the heavily damaged liner cushions reinforced and reattached to the M17 band; also has a (broken) chinstrap looped over the brim.

Third example has all original finish; two of the three liner cushions had broken or torn ears which have been backed with leather where material was missing.  In this case the liner does not appear to have been removed for the work, only one of the liner pins appears to have been tinkered with - the other two are solidly attached and appear to be undisturbed. 

$300 - $500

Imperial German 98/05 n/A. S. Sawback Bayonet - F. Koeller & Co. / Dürkopp Werke

Fullered sawback blade in good polish has ricasso with a faint, partially legible "F. Koeller & Co." maker stamp and a good strike of the "Dürkopp Werke A.G." finishing contract stamp.  Undated spine has Imperial proof.  Hilt is similarly nice with a light patina, crossguard with short 'ears', flashguard, and ribbed light walnut grip scales.  Includes good blued steel scabbard further complete with brown leather frog showing normal service wear and missing several small rivets but still in fine condition for display.

$150 - $250

Bavarian M1889 Cavalry Sword

Quillback blade has a few areas of very light 'salt and pepper' pitting, with "F.W. Höller / Solingen" maker stamp at the ricasso.  Spine has Bavarian crown proof and 1915 date.  Steel guard features the Bavarian lion emblem, and the contoured brown bakelite grip remains intact.  Hilt lacks the pommel nut.  Complete with scabbard, with unit markings on the throat. 

$150 - $250

Bavarian WWI Artillery Saber

Curved blade with wide fuller has some light age spots and discoloration from grease in the scabbard, but remains in very good overall condition.  Spine at the ricasso has Bavarian crown proof and 1914 date, maker "Weyersberg Kirschbaum & Cie." on the ricasso.  Steel hilt has dark gray patina; leather covering on the grip has worn away revealing the wood core and cord wrap.  Includes steel scabbard with a nice 'plumb' finish.  $150 - $250

Imperial German WWI Close Combat Knife Lot: Three Examples

First example is 25.5cm (10") overall, unmarked blade with dark patina, salt-and-pepper pitting throughout with areas of heavier pitting toward the tip.  Hilt has bird's head pommel, guard with rearward-swept quillon, and black composition checkered two-piece grip scales.  Leather scabbard is missing it's metal tip; has belt loop with retaining strap.

Second is 26.5cm (10-3/8") overall, unmarked blade with dark patina, salt-and-pepper pitting throughout with areas of heavier pitting and blemishes; tip is broken.  Functional bayonet style hilt has bird's head pommel with mortise and button, black painted steel guard has rearward-swept quillon, and black composition checkered two-piece grip scales has a break on one side.  Steel bayonet style scabbard with frog stud has traces of black painted finish blending with mottled patina.

Third example is a mismatch of knife and scabbard.  Knife is 33cm (13") overall, unmarked blade with some light pitting at the tip.  Hilt has recurved guard, ferrule, and brown horn over a through tang with turned pommel cap.  Scabbard is actually for an ersatz bayonet, with feldgrau painted finish.  $150 - $200

German & Austrian WWI Ersatz Bayonet Lot: Three Bayonets including one Post-War Belgian Bayonet

Includes one Austrian ersatz twist blade bayonet: 36cm (14-1/8") overall, all steel construction with twist blade, squared profile muzzle ring, and spring steel attachment which has broken on one side.  Dark patina.  Has accountability numbers stamped behind the muzzle ring.

Second bayonet is a German Ersatz bayonet for the Gew. 98 rifle, identified in Anthony Carter's exhaustive reference as example #32.  44.5cm (17-1/2") overall with fullered blade differentiating it from #33.  Stamped "98" on the pommel to readily identify the rifle that it was intended to fit.  Blade is in very nice shape with only a few minor age spots; hilt has darker patina.  Has an Imperial crown proof on the spine.  Includes blued steel scabbard.  From Carter: "These two bayonets, one fullered, the other unfullered, were designed solely for the Gewehr 98 and are stamped "98" on their pommels to indicate their purpose.  The steel hilts were solid cast and a slot was cut to take the blade tang which was then secured by two rivets.  Few fullered examples were made."

The third example appears in Carter's reference as #83, 48cm (17-3/4") overall, with fullered blade and a sheet steel hilt made in two halvs, riveted to the tang and pommel.  Gray steel patina throughout with minor age spots.  Mr. Carter classifies this one among Belgian export bayonets, and explains "During the postwar period, when the center of small arms production moved from Germany to Belgium and the newly-formed Czechoslovakia, the Belgians produced many weapons for their growing export trade.  Among these were a group of bayonets which, with their pressed steel hilts and obsolete blades, have often been (erroneously) classified as German ersatz."   No markings; includes German style blackened steel scabbard. 

$150 - $250

Imperial German WWI S.98 Bayonet Lot of Two Examples: Hörster 1906 and WKC Extra-Seitengewehr

Two Imperial German S.98 bayonets.  First is by E.F. Hörster, with Prussian crown proof and "06" date on the spine.  Fullered quillback blade is in excellent condition, marred only by the grease from the scabbard that has been preserving it in this nice shape for so long.  Hilt has two-piece walnut scales, a bit of light pitting on the pommel, and crossguard with unit markings from Reserve Infantry Regiment 73.  Example is complete with the much more robust steel scabbard, retaining 80% black finish.

Second is an S.98 Extra-Seitengewehr dress bayonet.  Fullered quillback blade is in good condition with scattered age blemishes; Weyersberg, Kirschbaum, & Companie Knight's head maker logo on the ricasso.  Hilt has good walnut grip scales, guard, pommel, and scabbard fittings have nickel finish which is worn in spots.  Scabbard is steel mounted black leather with an old collection numbering tag on the reverse of the throat. 

$150 - $200

Imperial German S.71 Bayonet Lot: Erfurt / Simson 1878 & Unmarked Extra-Seitengewehr

Issue S.71 bayonet, 59.5cm (23-1/4") overall, fullered blade in nice condition with signs of service sharpening; ricasso has Erfurt arsenal marking on one side and blade supplier "GEBR. SIMSON / SUHL" on the opposite.  Cast brass hilt has functional spring and press stud; guard is marked to the 137th Infantry Regiment.  Includes black leather scabbard with brass throat and drag, complete with black leather belt frog.  Unit marking on the scabbard throat does not match that of the bayonet.  

Second bayonet is an Extra-Seitengewehr dress bayonet, 59.5cm (23-1/4") overall, thin 2.3cm wide unfullered blade has acid-etched scrollwork and martial vignettes, unmarked ricasso, and hilt cast for dress purposes only with no mortise.  There was at one time a steel leaf spring, though this is now lacking.  Includes a nice brass mounted black leather scabbard.  $150 - $200

Imperial German WWI Westphalian Train Battalion No. 7 Officer's Sword

Model 1852 Train Battalion officer's sword, has 81cm (~31-3/4") gently curved blade without a maker marking.  Blade is etched on the spine, on one side with a blued background vignette of mounted Imperial soldiers, and on the other with a blued background unit designation for "Weftf. Train Bataillon No. 7".  Hilt has nickel finish three branch basket guard, dove profile pommel, and nice ribbed black composition grip.  Scabbard retains blackened finish.  

$200 - $300

Prussian M1889 Cavalry Sword

Quillback blade remains in excellent condition, with "Weyersberg Kirschbaum & Cie. Solingen" maker stamp at the ricasso.  Spine has Prussian crown proof and 1914 date.  Steel guard features the eagle emblem, and the contoured brown bakelite grip remains intact.  Complete with scabbard.  Scabbard has a few dents but remains functional and nice overall. 

$200 - $300