Republic of Ireland mk.II combat helmet

Before we get started, Google "YouTube WWII and the Shameful Actions of Ireland".  The short video gives background about Ireland's role in the Second World War and how Irishmen who chose to fight against Hitler were treated upon returning home. 

In the Republic of Ireland the period of the Second World War was termed "The Emergency".  Ireland chose not to ally itself to the forces of anti-fascism but instead chose to stay neutral and turned its attention to its own borders and welfare.

The political and military leaders of the Republic of Ireland envisioned two possible scenarios that they needed to protect the country against:  first, that the Germans would invade and occupy Ireland and use it as a staging area for a thrust into Britain.  Second that the British may possibly invade to occupy the treaty ports of Berehaven, Queenstown, Lough, and Swilly. 

Owing to the traditional hostility between the two nations the reluctance of the Republic to ally itself with Britain may be understandable though less so considering that the common foe was Nazi fascism and European enslavement, in this the Irish seem shortsighted and even selfish. Irish passive-aggressiveness toward Britain included an agreement with the Nazis regarding the acceptance of captured British materiel, including 10,000 rifles, 550 machine guns, and 46 field guns with which to supply and arm the Irish Army; the only reason this scheme wasn't realized was the difficulty of transporting the large amounts of booty from the European mainland to Ireland.

In 1927 the strength of the army of the Republic of Ireland numbered some ten thousand men, by 1940 it was 17,156, by 1942 - 38,000, and in 1949 well after the period of the emergency it was 40,000.

Despite the Irish enmity for Britain the Republic did embrace the mkII helmet perhaps to distinguish themselves from the Germans through the use of  the Germanic design of the m.27 helmet.

My previous post of the m.27 can be viewed here.

Now for the walk around:

The liner is secured to the helmet shell by a large screw and nut

passing through the apex of the shell.

The liner is the first version of the mkII liner which utilizes fiber

rather than rubber bumpers on its perimeter.

The bumpers are fastened to the pressed paper crossbands

by split pins.

The liner's only marking is the numeral 7 appearing twice.

In addition to the fiber bumpers, the earlier version of the mk.II liner is characterized by a large pad at the crown.

The liner leaves are gathered by a cord.

The chinstrap bails are fastened with a single rivet.  ROCo is the maker's mark for the firm of Rubery Owen & Co Ltd of Leeds. Also noted is that this is a mk.II helmet manufactured in 1940.

The rectangular chinstrap loops are held in place

with a tensioned clip.

The blackened brass buckle is overly complex and doesn't lend itself to quick fastening and unfastening.

The helmet rim is a separate piece of stainless steel spot welded along the edge of the shell and butt-joined at the rear of the helmet.

This marking is penciled under the brim.  Initials "ER" perhaps?

The shield and six-pointed star is the insignia of

the Eastern Command.

And now, some photos of the helmet in action:

President of the Republic of Ireland Eamon DeValera reviewing the troops during "the Emergency".

Irish soldiers in Wexford inspect a creamery bombed by the Nazis in clear violation of Irish neutrality.

There you have it. I'll see you next time with another cool helmet from the collection.

Mannie

Germany m.91 picklehaube (part two)

Icon

 

 

 

Perhaps no helmet is more emblematic of the nineteenth and early twentieth century

as the spiked helmet - the picklehaube - of the German Empire.

 

We have Frederick William IV to thank for this distinctive piece of headgear, introduced to the troops in 1842.  It originated in Prussia and was quickly adopted by the other principalities of the German Empire.

 

A very regal looking Friedrich Wilhelm IV pictured with his plumed picklehaube.

 

 The realities of trench warfare quickly proved the m.91 inadequate for modern warfare.  By the second year of the war the picklehaube started to be replaced by the steel helmet (profiled here).

For a much more extensive exploration of the picklehaube go to the

 authoritative Colonel J's site here.

 

The black and white cockade is indicative of Prussia.

As the war became static and the armies entrenched, the picklehaube proved to be mostly style and little substance; much to the woe of the German foot soldier.

 

The German Reich cockade adorns the right side of the helmet.

The posts that secure both the cockades as well as the chinstrap are

 elegant in their simplicity.

The posts are fastened inside the shell with a

washer and pin system.

 Thousands of picklehaubes came to the United States after the war and were used as premiums for those who purchased Liberty Bonds.  Certainly many of the picklehaubes on the market today were among these give-aways rather than the old saw of

"brought home by a vet" which collectors hear so much.

The liner is a nine-finger configuration gathered in the center with

a drawstring which adjusts the fit.

The chinstrap is adjusted with two slider buckles finished in gray.

 Like most picklehaubes found today the finish is crazed, here, on the front visor.

This close-fitting, black-painted helmet must have been very uncomfortable to wear in hot weather, so ventilation was a must.

The rear spine is hollow with a little sliding door...

which can be slid open to provide a positive airflow through the top back of the shell...

 as well as the back of neck by this little opening at the bottom of the rear visor.  Visible also is the nut which secures the spine.

More ventilation is provided at the top, which demonstrates that the spike is more than merely decorative.  It serves as a rain proof cupola for ventilation holes...

 

 which communicate to the top of the helmet.  Also visible are the split pins which secure the disc at the base of the spike.  These are very well designed and engineered helmets.

Robust bosses secure the spike base to the shell of the helmet.

The spike twists off with a simple bayonet mount.

The eagle insignia, or "wappen" is finished in gray, as are all of the metal fittings.

Although illegible, the maker's marks appear on the rear visor.

These helmets were an issue item and would have a variety of owners, here the names Eisen and Vize are penciled in as well as the size stamp.

Another stamp, although illegible, this helmet is well marked; always a treat for the collector.

The wappen is secured to the helmet with wire loops passing through grommeted holes and secured by leather wedges.

These jolly cockades are in good condition with a very pleasant patina; German Reich to the left and Prussia to the right.

 

"For God, for king, for fatherland"; the wappen commemorates Fredrich Wilhelm IV.

 The shell is of five-piece construction.  Heavy leather with equally robust stitching.

A classic and altogether handsome helmet by any measure.

 

The influence of the German picklehaube extended to the military fashion of other countries, including the United States.

 

 

For the entry on my m.1881 cavalry helmet go here.

 

The picklehaube can still be found in use today...

 

 

 I think that Friedrich Wilhelm would be gratified to see that his design is still in use by many countries, although I think he would be startled that this member of the Royal Swedish Guard is a young woman.  Fancy that.

 

Perhaps no helmet has been so lampooned as the m.91.  Here's a selection of how artists have rendered this iconic helmet in the service of satire:

And that's the long and short of it!

I'll see you next time with another cool helmet from the collection.

Mannie