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Possibly Fritz, I have seen all kinds of paint jobs, both ameteur and professional. These helmets were used for all kinds of purposes after the war, light shades, etc.

This has been given a coating of red lead paint to prevent corrosion, obviously an amateur and dilettant attempt.

Here's another WW1 helmet stamped FS 15 = Thomas Firth & Sons of Sheffield both ( Manufacturer and Steel Supplier ) with Heat/Batch code 15, no liner or strap and not the best of paint jobs. Photo's from other sources.

Here's another WW1 helmet stamped HS 52 = Hadfield Ltd of Sheffield both ( Manufacturer and Steel Supplier ) with Heat/Batch code 52, missing its strap but in good condition. Photo's from other sources.

I finally was able to find the date stamp on another brodie helmet I picked up . It is marked 302 II HBH-42. IM guessing hat it is from HBH = Harrison Bros & Howson. Sheffield. 1938 - 1940. Did this company make these helmets past the dates given?

Hi RF BF. I don't think the neck flap is attached. See attached Dutch Brodie, fire brigade or artillery. The flap is actually attached to the head band and does not have any holes in the actual helmet. I just went upstairs and had a look at my Dutch brodie with flap and there are no holes in the helmet.

Hi RB fish fish. My computer was stolen so I have lost all my info but I would hazard a guess it is South African. I have a South African Brodie style with 3 holes punched in the rim for a neck protector. Not the front as you have guessed and the chin strap holders are similar. My helmet is of a very poor steel with ribbing all round the rim, due to the Transvaal Steel Pressing Syndicate not having access to high grade steel and the machinery to press hard metals. Yours seems to be a higher grade. Another feature is the South African helmet is nearly circular compared to the more British oval. Once you punch in South African Brodie into Mr Google you will see all the info you need. Hope this helps.

Here's another HV stamped helmet that has been paint stamped with the soldiers name and id number on the inside rim. Photo from other sources.

Looking at the helmets posted in the American Brodie section I've noticed that all YJ stamped helmets have the same flattened rivets as do helmets with the ZE stamps and some with the ( ZD stamps but not all ) so this is down to different Manufacturing methods of flattening the rivet ends in some Manufacturers than others by the looks of it.

I recently got a all matching Bavarian unit marked Mauser 1871. I like to try and have an original sling for all my rifles and I can’t find a original 1871 sling anywhere. I’ve only seen one a year ago but I didn’t have the gun at the time so I didn’t purchase it. Does anybody know where I can find one?

Some called her an engineering masterpiece, others called her a Great White Elephant. But she was an awesome looking Airliner in her day, I'm sure we've all seen a Boeing 747 and how huge they are, well the Brabazon was twice as big four times as heavy and able to fly three times as far. She had a 177ft Fuselage with a 230ft wingspan, it was powered by 8 Bristol Centaurus 18-cylinder radial engines rested in pairs in the wings, these drove 8 paired counter-rotating She had a longer wingspan than any modern Ailiner has today, from tip-to-tip her wings were the length of London Bridge so they say. She made her maiden flight on 4th Sept 1949. After only 164 flights totaling 382 hours flying time, she was broken up along with the uncompleted Mk 2 Prototype when it became clear no airline wanted to purchace it in Oct 1953. photo 1.............on her maiden flight. photo 2.............on G1025 type 167-Brabazon Mk 1. photo 3.............on display at Farnborough 8th Sept 1949.

Here's another WW1 helmet stamped FKS 60 = Thomas Firth & Sons of Sheffield both ( Manufacturer and Steel Supplier ) and Heat/Batch code 60, has no liner but still has part of its strap. Photo's from other sources.

Here's another WW1 Helmet stamped HV 610 = Hutton & Sons of Sheffield ( Manufacturer ) Vickers Ltd of Sheffield ( Steel Supplier ) with Heat/Batch code 610. This is one of the British made helmets used by the US during WW1, has the soldiers name James Greer and id number 290231 on inside rim is in good condition for its age. Photo's from other sources.

I have a American Brodie helmet but the rivers look different then most that I’ve seen and they aren’t the British split pin. Does anybody know why

Welcome to the forum, and thanks for the photo's yes they made them up to 1943 as far as I know, have now amended the list.

I recently started to collect military gear. I can across a helmet that has me stumped. I believe that it is a brodie helmet but not sure who and when it came from. The helmet has 3 holes drilled in the front brim. I have not been able to find any other strap buckles this style and the rivets are different. I have not found a heat stamp . It looks like a FD in paint on the inside of the brim. if anyone can help me identify this helmet I would appreciate it. Thanks

Looking into the possible Fire Department connection I found this helmet with same 3 holes in the back rim.

Thanks! I wonder if the FD stood for fire department and was used by them like the article says during the air raids? Its cool that I found 3 british ww2 helmets in a garage in ohio.

Welcome to the forum Tony, possibly repaired in the field hence the rough finish on the rivets?

I wanted some opinions on this buckle and if it’s original. I picked it up for $50 from a local gun shop.

I once owned a replica P-08 , and now only some P-08 part's....as for that holster...l would also go with replica, but easy enough to make look like an original with leather stain's and sandpaper !, But l personally prefure to keep all my replica stuff in mint condition and let time and use age them ! As for the P-08 Luger Artillery model, you would have to rest it onto your elbow just to get that none accurate shot !, Just like that Kreigsmarine model..... "Gone Fishing"

x Schlesische Landwehr Pyramid on the battlefield of Großbeeren Memorial Tower on the battlefield of Großbeeren Berliner Landwehr

Johanna Stegen in the battle near Lüneburg, bringing ammunition to the troops

Here is a nice WW1 era German canteen, I have been looking for decent example for some time. These are getting really hard to find with the leather straps intact and the carrier in good shape. There is a stamp on the canteen but cannot make it out. I believe this to be the M1915 type, it has the full strap and enameled canteen. The cover is a cotton cloth material that is really thin with no internal lining.

In amazingly fresh condition apart from obvious wear to this frail cover. The previous examples had a felt cover, which was much more durable, but wool became scarce as the war progressed. Cloth was also commonly recycled, as can be seen in some remaining examples, nothing was ever thrown away in Prussia (Preußische Sparsamkeit) - Sparsamkeit, Fleiß, Disziplin, were the Prussian virtues, and the material and kit to build up an economicly sound and powerful state.

Beautiful pieces, I've been wanting something like this for some time, mainly the standard version, but too many restrictions nowadays, and the prices have soared. I take it, the holster is basicly a copy with possibly some original parts. The artillery weapon must have been awkward to use, too intricate and too complicated.

Here is what the US military envisioned their forces equipped with state of the art personal body armor and unique model number 5 helmet. The chest and back armor had plates that were linked together to allow for decent movement. The arms were completed enveloped on the outside, and there was also a knee and shin version as well. The helmet was from a series of experimental models starting at number 1 and going to 15. The Liberty bell version (there were 3 variants of this as well) was the only one that was produced in decent numbers, but was not liked by the troops and it was withdrawn from service. second image shows the armor minus the gear.

Could someone advise me re German stick grenade metal bases. Were the star shaped ones only used in the first world war or did the continue to be used alongside the more familiar round type more typical of ww2 examples??

I agree with Leon, its probably a manufacturing issue. They were cranking these out as fast as they could, and I am sure the military did not mind.

Found these images online, first is of the Lewis gun on the Vickers tripod, which most likely made is a much more stable firing platform. Second picture is the more common application, front line use. Note the lack of the carrying handle. You can make out the bipod ring on the barrel. The soldier holding the weapon is most likely not the shooter as he is wearing rifle ammunition pouches. Most likely he is posing with the gun.

Feldwebel with the Krim shield, he is also wearing the sports/readiness badge, general assault badge (meaning he is most likely not infantry) and a wound badge.

Another interesting image of a Army Mountain Gefreiter with the Narvik Shield. He is wearing the LW paratrooper badge, and wound badge, along with the EK2 ribbon.

Here is an image of a German Gefreiter or lance corporal, immediately above his chevron is the Krim Shield. he is equipped with the Mauser 98k with bayonet, and ammunition pouches.

Here is a nice early war example of the Panzer Uniform, especially the Schutzmütze or beret. It was a padded headpiece supposed to reduce injuries to the wearer. It was removed from service in 1941, however it was still worn by crews of armored carriers and light tanks such as the 38t model. As with all panzer items today, these are very rare and expensive.

As far as I know the pattern you are talking about, was used on the Model 1916 and 1917 grenades in the first World War. However in WW2 the Germans used the M24 stick grenade which used a different type end cap, see below. The M24 end cap was to be spring loaded with a cardboard disc to keep the grenade waterproof and to reduce rattling from the ball, later type caps did away with the spring and just had the cardboard disk. I do see a lot of the M24 types with the WW1 style caps. Additionally I see a lot more of the WW1 caps for sale then the WW2 types, so its possible collectors/sellers are adding these to complete the grenades. Of course I am not an expert by any means. (photo source, internet)

Here is an interesting model, one that I have not seen an image of or in person, but is described in the period book titled: Helmets and body armor in Modern Warfare, and excellent reference book by the way. It describes a German helmet that was found in the Verdun region and called the Siege Helmet. It had sides that sloped down and weighed 14 pounds! If the report on this is true, I image it was a prototype being field tested, but with so much steel going into one helmet, I can understand why this was not mass produced or put into service.

One of the best films I have ever seen. Funny and moving at the same time. Massive PC movement against reviewers being allowed to say anything positive about comedy set in this period. Film took the period issues seriously. Work of art in my opinion.

Thanks David, much appreciated.

Glad the powder did the trick, I've seen painted numbers on some helmet shells before, no idea why they would put them there as once the felt pad and liner are fitted you would not see them, could be these were added post war?

Here is the US model 9 experimental helmet, designed for machine gunners. No ballistics tests were done, however a second model was theorized to make it impenetrable to bullets, however the weight was expected to be over 20 pounds! (photo source, internet)

Here is the US model number 7 sentinel helmet. It was designed to be worn in areas where heavy activity was to be expected and for short periods only. It was designed from 15th century helmets, and very much looked the part. A few were sent to France for trials and they proved successful in stopping rifle fire, but were considered too heavy. I can't imagine the headache one would have after a bullet striking that. (photo source, internet)

Here is the cup launcher attachment I got for the rifle, it attaches and is removed quite easily and fast. It has the gas port cover to control the pressure during the launch. This particular launcher is made by H.W. Ward & Co. ltd. Birmingham.

The first set is most likely from a parade tunic (8-button front, no pockets). Very nice sets.

There are a couple of parts missing, but could otherwise be replaced.

Warning to those skiers, who walk though the town in their ski-boots! Liable to a Fine on the spot of at least 25 Euros - and a possible fine up to a limit of 2.000 Euros - as this is regarded as an "Ordnungswidrigkeit", punishable by a fine on the spot!

Thanks Guys I thought it was.......These badges were awarded in limited numbers, but no photographic evidence has yet emerged of a soldier actually wearing the badge. In most cases there was simply an entry made in the soldbook. Heres a page from Detlev Niemann book Orders and Decorations Germany 1871-1945 which shows a packet/box of issue. heres a photo from the book The Luftwaffe by Christopher J.Ailsby of a badge awarded to Unterofficer Emil Gercken along with a Citation on 17th Feb 1945...........................Thanks Again Guys.

Kenny is correct, I have never seen a fake one let alone a real one. Mind you, I don't collect Panzer related items much now so i might have soon thousands of the fakes without even knowing.

The Brabazon Airliner was viewed in the same light as the Luxury Ocean Liner. It had an interior layout housing a forward saloon with 6 compartments, each for 6 passengers, and another one for just 3. A midships section at higher level above the wing with 38 seats arranged around tables in groups of 4, plus a pantry and gallery, and a rear saloon with 23 seats in an aftfacing cinema, plus cocktail bar and lounge. here's a picture of the lounge.

Model on display at the Bristol Aero Museum