Ladies and gentlemen, the M-91 German artillery helmet of 1915.
As you may have guessed, the ball surmounting the helmet represents a cannonball. This was the distinctive headgear worn by artillerymen from the Franco-Prussian war to the first year of World War One.
Paper Prussians rush a gun to the front to do battle with paper French Algerian zouaves. Note the orbs atob their little paper helmets.
The front of the M-91 enlisted man's helmet.
Right side, showing the black and white Prussian korkarde. (a reproduction just like on the pickelhaube of my previous post)
And the left side,with the original Reichs korkarde,
This rear view exhibits a slightly crazed but still shiny surface. The ventilated spine is quite identical to the pickelhaube.
This helmet is in really nice condition.
Close-up of the sliding buckles of the chinstrap...
as well as the date and unit markings under the rear visor.
Although the Prussian korkade is a metal reproduction the Reich korkade is original.Acquired in 1979 at a military collectibles show in Lansing Michigan, I paid about $45.00 for this nice specimen. Today It's worth a great deal more. I'm fortunate that I began collecting helmets so early when there were still plenty of these things around at relatively reasonable prices.
The "helmet shows" were always a blast, and although, ebay has all but rendered them obsolete, there is nothing like browsing an exhibition hall or armoury filled with dealers and the weirdos and weenies who seek them out. It's a strange kind of fun.
Come visit next time for the grandpappy of modern combat Helmets; The French "Adrian" of the Great War.
