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Thanks for such a friendly place where people are keen to share knowledge! So..My 12 yr old just HAD to spend some of his Christmas money on this helmet from a Normandy antique shop. Not sure of if it is British or Canadian but he is hoping for Canadian. Although there is some rust damage to the crown, it does look like there were originally more than just one screw hole? (Edit : Now i see it as a large image, i think it is just rust holes and only one original hole). As best I can make out, there is no number after the HS stamp. Any information would be gratefully received as he is keen to show his school friends!

Here is a WW1 Era French Berthier Model 07/15. or Fusil Mle. 1907/15. This rifle is chambered in the standard Lebel 8x50R cartridge which was used on both the Lebel and Berthier rifles, in fact both rifles used the same barrel, which was a plus for logistics. The Berthier rifle was made to be a partial replacement for the Lebel, and was quite popular in colonial use, and in 1907 was updated with minor changes. In 1914, the French seeing that this rifle was cheaper and faster to produce than the Lebel and since no more Lebel's were being made, they updated the Berthier again to the 07/15 model in early 1915 and by the summer it was reaching the troops. This rifle utilizes a Mannlicher-type en bloc magazine which held three rounds (which was increased to 5 on the 1916 model). The magazine clip would feed through the top and empty out the bottom of the well once empty, this was one area of weakness as the bottom of the magazine well was open to debris. The barrel is dated 1916 for St. Etienne and the receiver is also St. Etienne, however, the barrel I believe is a replacement as the finish/wear does not match up. It is my belief is that this rifle has been re-worked. The 1916 upgrade did not get up and running till early to mid 1917, so using 1916 dated replacement parts to fix or repair the rifle makes sense. It has the early blade type front sight, not the blocky 1916 upgrade sight. Overall, it is a good example of a WW1 rifle, that shows a good system for reclamation and reuse of what they had to minimize waste, something that all belligerents had to do during WW1. The stock on this rifle has been duffel cut under the rear band, meaning it is concealed once put back together, most likely a bring back. The stock itself does not match the serial number on the receiver, further leading me to believe this is a re-work. The roundel is slightly visible, and I can make out Novembre, MA and 1916, can't see anything else, but that is common for these, as the stamp was usually light and wore down quickly.

No N stamp visible. I do plan on picking up the book as well.

I love that rifle and you may want Ian's book, (CHASSEPOT TO FAMAS: French Military Rifles, 1866 – 2016 by Ian McCollum) one of the few in English on French firearms. Berthiers are a hoot to shoot with Prvi ammunition. That jewel deserves an original black French sling. Since it came home most likely in WW I, I assume the rifle escaped the N conversion or is the receiver N stamped? The Mle 1932 cartridge was adopted in the mid 1930s. Also an informative Forgotten weapons review: ( The Berthier After World War One)

The French Berthier three shot enblock clip.

Welcome to the forum, the helmet you have is British made by HS = Hadfield Ltd of Sheffield who was both a Manufacturer and Steel Supplier, who made them from 1916 -1919. The chinstrap lugs have been replaced at some time which held the leather chinstrap in place would have been brass loops riveted to the brim by split-rivets. The helmets would have been painted in a Non-Reflective Kharki-Sand Paint, you could rub chalk around were the stamp mark HS is to see if it will show a number. Hope this helps.

A Merry 2024 Christmas to all. Semper Fi

Thanks all, this is my first 07/15. The 1916 models are much more common as well as the Remington made versions.

A beauty. The duffle cut, a nice piece of history to be maintained intact. Not repaired. For the boots, https://www.forgottenweapons.com/what-is-a-duffel-cut/ Sort of an indirect link to You Tube since they black some links out. The QUOTE from Ian:

I had one many years ago, and also the Lebel 1886/93

An M.42 late war 1944/45 with "Drahtverhau" for attaching camouflage material, size ET68 approx. Leather liner is clearly a modern replacement, original steel liner band rather rusty. I wonder if the paintwork is original, or redone by a previous owner? Opinions please.

Seventeen years later on this one, but yes these are 100% fake / fantasy items.

Amazing, thank you for the information, we thought it was WWII so he is excited to try to find a period liner for it!

I wonder what happened to the top of the helmet?

Fritz: Hello. Thank you for sharing the video with the Forum. Excellent collection of naval uniforms on display at the International Maritime Museum Hamburg, Germany. Once again, thank you. Regards, John R.

Merry Christmas and a happy New year

Dresdner Christmas Christstollen

I have recently found the 1918 Belleau Wood /Chateau Thierry complete post card booklet that is very difficult to find intact. There are so many rare post card views in this booklet most have been tore out of this title in order for the better cards to be sold separately at top prices. As a result, this title is a rare find when remaining intact: There are 24 post cards with all the major cemetery cards and some other rarely seen post cards on the loose. I am showing all 24 post cards in correct order in this set since it is rarely seen complete. It is difficult to hold open so the views are not shown flat like a normal post card photo. However, I have shown single cards of some of the views in past posts.

The Königsberg postcards sound like a cool piece of history, especially with the connection to the Neusüß family.

Merry Christmas - Frohe Weihnachten - Joieux Noel

Merry Christmas everyone and a happy New Year

Merry Christmas everybody !

Can anyone identify this cap. Named to SS-Untersturmführer Mix, 3./SS-Verfügungstruppe ??? He may have been a member of this other organisation, and at the same time, SS-VT. Material appears to be very dark blue velvet, red piping, eagle as per Reichspost, Peak is SS marked.

Nice helmet Fritz, hard to say on the paint, the color looks good, and it seems to have uniform wear, I can also see the rust lines from the wire on the exterior of the helmet. Have a nagging feeling though it has been touched up a little just from the pitting on the interior. Large sizes such as this are highly desirable with collectors, and it is getting really hard to find untouched/altered helmets now.

Recently acquired WW1 US made Russian 76.2 High Explosive shell, with the transit plug. I have re-inserted it back into the casing once I took pictures of the markings. The HE shells along with the more commonly encountered shrapnel shells were made in the US for the Russians under contract. Unfortunately, by the time US industry was up and running, the situation in Russia was not looking good for the allies and like other ordnance and equipment, most did not make it to Russia in time to make a difference. Furthermore, plants such as the Eddystone Munitions Company, which produced the HE and shrapnel shells, experienced an accidental explosion in April of 1917, resulting in loss of life and further delays in getting munitions to the Russians.

Belt loop for SA dagger hanger, dark brown leather, looks almost black in photos Set now complete

I have seen WW1 liners come up from time to time, however most are quite fragile or brittle. Additionally, as Leon stated, the holes are the crown would have to be repaired first.

Not sure if you could find any period liners for it, I have seen reproduction ones. It's possible that the helmet was used during WW2 as some WW1 shells were upgraded with new chin strap lugs and chinstraps and new liners. The problem is the holes in the top of the helmet would have to be repaired before you could attach one to it.

Hi Gildwiller1918, Thank you for your donation of 25.00 GBP. We look forward to improving the forums with your donation. Thanks Treasure Bunker Forum

Thank you Paul, very much appreciated as always

Here is a link to a fantastic set of artifacts and relics from a Belleau Wood vet that Gildwiller1918 alerted me to. Well worth the view. WWI 5Th Regiment Belleau Wood Grouping https://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/395924-wwi-5th-regiment-belleau-wood-grouping/

Weihnachten bei Hoppenstedts

(Samuel Cormier)

Hi everyone. I picked up these two medals at a local estate sale. I’ve done a little bit of research and I think the ribbon might be on the wrong medal? All the pictures I’ve seen the ribbons with the black center belong on the war merit badge not the iron Cross. I dont see any markings on the rings. Do these look real to y’all?

A must view example of an interesting FTR, 1945 BSA example: Owner Kchapmansc on GB. Photo source, below link. This JC is a winner! https://www.gunboards.com/threads/1945-bsa-no5.1265090/

original someone has drilled the frame to add the loop

original, ring loop missing as stated, silver and iron.

Hello, an Iron Cross 2nd Class has recently come into my possession, following a house clearance of an elderly relative, and I was wondering if it's an original WW1 medal or a fake/replica? The ribbon loop has been removed, for some reason, so unable to confirm any makers mark.

Well, I might suggest, fire first round with rifle in a tire set with one tire holding it down. String on trigger. Read the brass for enlarged case, backed out primer, see ejection and if bolt opens easy or hard after it goes bang. Here are some photos of a Guadalcanal bring back type 38 all matching including dust cover. A Type 38 dust cover. Sent back, so Mum is intact, not a trainer. My goofy uncle used up the original leather sling on a hunting rifle Stock finish and cartouch remain intact. He never fired it ,too cheap to buy expensive Norma 6.5 Arisaka ammunition . 518 match

I haven't seen an inscription like that before, sounds pure fantasy

Narvik Schild 1940 A Narvik Schild in silver, mounted on a bluegrey Luftwaffe cloth backing. The Narvik shield was awarded to all personnel, who took part in the battle for Narvik between 9th April and 10th June 1940. The shield was produced in silver finish for Heer and Luftwaffe, and in a gold finish for the Kriegsmarine, each with its own appropriate backing cloth. Shields were initially produced in pressed iron with a silver or gold finish, later in Zinc. The award for initatiated on 13th August 1940 by order of Hitler, and the first recipient was Generaloberst Dietl on 15.3.1941, the commander of the Gebirgstruppe. By mid 1941 most awards had been bestowed, in all: Heer: 2755 Luftwaffe 2161 Marine: 3661 The Narvik shield, as most others, is frequently copied. Caution is recommended with examples with too new paper backings. The original series had more of a type of felt behind the cloth backing. (photo by D.Niemann,Hamburg)

Yes, I was surprised the original finish was in such good condition

Finished paint stripping, inside left as it is. Chinstrap has been repaired, but the join will have to be reinforced

Have you tried asking at a car repair shop were they do re-sprays, to see if they can suggest anything. I take it the colour on the inside of the helmet is the original colour.

The stock would need completely refinishing, it looks like something out of IKEA Möbelhaus

Thanks Paul, as always your support and help is greatly appreciated