my small bw collection

just a few pieces ive picked up so far mainly lids but we all have to start somewhere thanks james

You're off to a good start There are a number of different helmets, however they break down into three basic infantry types of US M1 style steel helmets (some variations within):

1. Two piece made in the 1950s (1958?). Very rare, very expensive when properly identified so as not to be confused with others.
2. Standard chinstrap. 1960s-1970s. Very common
3. Chinstrap and rear neck support. 1980s-1990s. Very common.

At first I thought you had the second model, but looking at the strap and the rivets... I'm not sure that's actually BW. Flip it over and take a pic of the liner, that might help firm up identity.

Steve

Nice start jaycee

The middle one in the lids pics as Steve said being the neck straped type is actual the Fallchirmjager model (i believe Steve knows that just didn't point out )

The two pieces first model of the BW helmet dated in the 50's as leather straps (somewhat adaptation of the WW2 FJ ones)

Jaycee can you get photo from the inside of the wüstentarn helmet cover just to check with mine? Thanks in advance.

Best regards

.

many thanks steve for the information heres the insides of both stahlhelms and composite lid and thanks albano here's an inside view of the cover its pretty non descript to be honest hope this helps many thanks james

Nice Bundeswehr items, Jaycee! Your garden looks very nice too.

Hi James,

Yeah, the M1 style steel helmet is the type used in the 1980s through 1990s. It just looked a bit odd the way the first pictures were taken.

Albano,

Actually, it's not FJ The FJ type has bolts, just like the WW2 type, that hold in the liner and chin straps. There is one bolt on each side of the head, two bolts at the rear. This was issued in the early 1960s and then discontinued. Apparently they used standard helmets from then until very recently.

The two piece helmet is almost indistinguishable from any US type 2 piece helmet. Makes purchasing on eBay extremely risky because most of the helmets offered as "Bundeswehr" are US, Dutch, Austrian, Danish, etc. Markings are what one needs to look for above all else. However, there are some very subtle features which helmet collectors know to look for. I can't remember what they are off the top of my head.

Steve

many thanks again steve and many thanks ben for the nice complements on the bw gear and my garden i quess it must be the microclimate here in north wales plant collecting is my 2nd hobby after lids lol ive decided to fit a US woodland pat camo cover and an east german net for now on the m62 ive been told it would be more in keeping with that time period enjoy james

CollectinSteve wrote:Albano,

Actually, it's not FJ The FJ type has bolts, just like the WW2 type, that hold in the liner and chin straps. There is one bolt on each side of the head, two bolts at the rear. This was issued in the early 1960s and then discontinued. Apparently they used standard helmets from then until very recently.

The two piece helmet is almost indistinguishable from any US type 2 piece helmet. Makes purchasing on eBay extremely risky because most of the helmets offered as "Bundeswehr" are US, Dutch, Austrian, Danish, etc. Markings are what one needs to look for above all else. However, there are some very subtle features which helmet collectors know to look for. I can't remember what they are off the top of my head.

Steve

Stand corrected then. Always learning

Best regards

.

Wales? I thought you were in Guam

Albano wrote:Stand corrected then. Always learning

Anybody who says they are not still learning just proves he has a new lesson to learn

Steve

Jaycee, you'd see all manner of camo covers in BW service in the 70's and 80's-US Woodland, British DPM, Belgian patterns, old German "puzzle" pattern, old Splinter patterns, whatever they could lay hands on. I'm told it became something of a fashion statement to come back from joint exercises with foreign fabric to make a cover with. Also it was almost required to lace parachute cord through the holes/loops/netting/whatever to form a spiderweb like design, something still commonly done by BW soldiers today. It's necessary for turning your helmet into the hedge-like "moving bush" seemingly considered to be the minimum camouflage acceptable by the BW.

Jaycee

Thanks for the photo of the inside of the desert cover. As i suspected no "A" stamp in it just as mine and all the ones i've seen so far.
But it's not commercial thats for sure. Cut, construction and material are consistant with BW specs.

Best regards

.

There are several Flecktarn helmet covers, some of which were limited issue/experimental. There's even a reversible desert/temperate cover. Some of the early ones appear to have been quick and cheap attempts to cover the M1 helmets, either for trials or perhaps thinking there was no need for good ones because everybody would have Kevlar helmets soon. But the transition took a while and so they found it cheaper to make real covers instead of buying more Kevlar helmets. Or something like that

Anything with an "A" stamp is definitely legitimate (nobody's faking that as far as I know), though something without "A" stamp could still be legitimate. All that means is the item was taken out of service, uhm, unofficially

Steve

I also have one of those reversible temperate/desert covers but for the gefechtshelm. The G-number is most evident. Can't recall if its stamped "A" or not though.
Also have another desert cover stamped "A" but the material is so, but so thin that the "A" can be seen in both sides. And as no camouflage loops. Can't find one with camo loops but i know they exist. Any ideas?

Best regards

.

i forgot to update my thread with my latest stalhlhelms first my 2nd pattern m60and then my m59 llthensome other pics

some more updated photos

Great stuff and displays as ever James, all you need now is some Tropentarn uniforms and your good to go Mate

cheers gary here's another small addition and nice minty OD side cap dated 1979 with large ink stamped A on label

just a little update on my helmet grouping display enjoy james

I really must get hold of one of those Sidecaps James,and it goes without saying your BW lid display,is one of the best I have seen in a long time, nice one Mate