As I have been writing about pickelhaube helmets seven weeks in row I figured I could keep up the helmet theme a little longer… So, here is a rather standard helmet, but with a hard to find cloth cover.
The helmet is what is called an M17, introduced in 1917, with a steel liner band instead of the leather liner band of the M16. Well, really this helmet is an M16 with the late type steel liner band, M17 was not a German designation, it is a term used by collectors to differentiate between the types. So, I know someone will react to my using the M17 term, but rest assured, I am aware that it is problematic and I do mention that.
The helmet has the white chrome-tanned leather liner with horsehair pads intact. It may have been subjected to a bit of moisture, judging from the shrinkage to the leather, but it is all intact and there.
The chinstrap I was given years ago, I added it myself, and I believe it most probably is reproduction. I will replace it when I can find a good original.
Now, many years ago I bought some loft finds in Germany. An ersatz Tornister (Rucksack), packstraps, a blanket and a pair of boots, and this cover was in the Tornister. The seller had no idea what it was. Neither did I, frankly, but I was delighted when I realized. This is an original, though in great condition, and full of old yellow mud. The helmet gets very dusty and just tapping the cover releases a cloud of that dust, so it will have been smeared with mud for added camouflage.
There are more reproductions than originals around, so if you are looking for one, be aware that it is so.
Though many covers found are of dubious construction, this one matches exactly covers seen in period photos, and I have never seen a repro with this kind of heavy burlap cloth and the same construction, so I feel certain that this is the real deal.
Around the vents the burlap type cloth has round reinforcements of white leather. The cover is fastened around the rim of the helmet in the same way the pickelhaube covers are, with hooks.
So, this combo matches the Lederschutzmaske, sheepskin gas mask, that I display it with. It is a sight that would be common on the battlefield in 1917…