"b/ii prototype" helmet sold on german ebay for 992 eu ($1,362)
- Thread starter M45
- Start date
That's cool. The nicer, original of these is really neat. I saw all the testing on these in the back of my Baer book. Simplified manufacture and very good ballistic qualities, even though it looks a bit funny. How many originals are known? Thanks for posting, pic stickied.
M45
Well-known member
Ham: there were two sets of prototypes if I read Baer correctly. The first earlier set (1940, 41?) made by the Volklingen Stahlwerke (B, B/II, C) were used for ballistics testing among other things.
The second set (B, B/II) was made in 1944 by Thale and used for troop training. 50 examples of each type were made of these. I believe my example is a Thale example.
This is the only example of a real B/II I know of, but feel confident that others have survived and are in high-end collections.
I know of no original B, C or Thale examples.
The second set (B, B/II) was made in 1944 by Thale and used for troop training. 50 examples of each type were made of these. I believe my example is a Thale example.
This is the only example of a real B/II I know of, but feel confident that others have survived and are in high-end collections.
I know of no original B, C or Thale examples.
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M45
Well-known member
As you have read Baer on the topic, there were troop training trials, I believe at the Doberitz? infantry school south of Berlin. Infantry cadets apparently wore the prototypes when confronting the Soviets during their southern sweep toward Berlin.
Some of these unusual helmets were no doubt acquired by the Soviets who then moved on to Berlin, eventually to fraternize with western troops. I suspect this example may have been traded for cigarettes/alcohol and wound up in a US serviceman's duffel bag and shipped home. The serviceman apparently kept the helmet all these years until he finally went to a rest home and his family sold his belongings. I acquired the helmet on Ebay back in 06.
Some of these unusual helmets were no doubt acquired by the Soviets who then moved on to Berlin, eventually to fraternize with western troops. I suspect this example may have been traded for cigarettes/alcohol and wound up in a US serviceman's duffel bag and shipped home. The serviceman apparently kept the helmet all these years until he finally went to a rest home and his family sold his belongings. I acquired the helmet on Ebay back in 06.
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M45
Well-known member
I have seen several dozen supposed examples over the years, both B/II and B.
Flared rims, decals, vent holes, fresh rust and dome stamps are dead giveaways.
Flared rims, decals, vent holes, fresh rust and dome stamps are dead giveaways.
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M45
Well-known member
M45 g.i. Gerry dolls
Here are a few M45 g.i. Gerry dolls (sorry for the small photos).
As many are aware, very late war German helmets are my forte. If the war had dragged on for several more years, I think the B/II would have been produced despite Hitler's disapproval as it has a more German styling compared to the bowl-shaped Model B. (He might have even been assassinated during another attempt).
Since the M42 press dies were worn out according to L. Baer, German industry would have been faced with either producing more M42 dies to continue M42 production, or instituting the B/II.
Models B and B/II had been fully tested and were ready for mass production. They were easier and cheaper to produce, offered better ballistic protection, and used less materials. I think it would have been a no-brainer.
A mass produced model B/II would have had a rim much like the DDR M56 with liner/strap/suspension like the Model B/II IMO.
Here are a few M45 g.i. Gerry dolls (sorry for the small photos).
As many are aware, very late war German helmets are my forte. If the war had dragged on for several more years, I think the B/II would have been produced despite Hitler's disapproval as it has a more German styling compared to the bowl-shaped Model B. (He might have even been assassinated during another attempt).
Since the M42 press dies were worn out according to L. Baer, German industry would have been faced with either producing more M42 dies to continue M42 production, or instituting the B/II.
Models B and B/II had been fully tested and were ready for mass production. They were easier and cheaper to produce, offered better ballistic protection, and used less materials. I think it would have been a no-brainer.
A mass produced model B/II would have had a rim much like the DDR M56 with liner/strap/suspension like the Model B/II IMO.
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They are just so ugly compared to a M42. LOL.
agalland
Well-known member
Damn ugly I say...rare or not.
A helmet version of a dunce cap.
I am sure they have great value,but an ugly duckling none the less....but you know what they say...beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
I am incapable of appreciating jazz,and now rare helmets also it seems.
M45
Well-known member
As I understand it, the Soviets began transferring powers to the East German communists in 1948, with the formation of the DDR in 1949 with the NVA established in 1956.
It was decided that the new People's Army had to have their own distinctive helmet, so they could not wear Soviet surplus nor the old Wehrmacht helmet from the Third Reich era.
So the wartime tested B/II design was dusted off and mass produced. It was neither Soviet nor Nazi (as far as most knew), but still had the stahlhelm bottom rim, tracing essentially the same track as the old Steel helmet 35 making it distinctly German.
It was decided that the new People's Army had to have their own distinctive helmet, so they could not wear Soviet surplus nor the old Wehrmacht helmet from the Third Reich era.
So the wartime tested B/II design was dusted off and mass produced. It was neither Soviet nor Nazi (as far as most knew), but still had the stahlhelm bottom rim, tracing essentially the same track as the old Steel helmet 35 making it distinctly German.
M45
Well-known member
http://militaryrelics.com/2014/11/german-1945-b2-prototype-helmet-2/
German 1945 B2 prototype helmet
E-129 German 1945 B2 experimental prototype helmet. A radical design from the standard shaped “Stahlhelm” of WWII. “Turtle shell” shape with a rough O.D. finish and some splotches of a lighter yellow-green camouflage. Top inside stamped in red “Abgenommen…”. Standard type drawstring liner – band is attached to the shell with 3 flanges/fold-over rivets. (One flange is split at the fold.) Black leather chinstrap. This was the last model helmet produced by the Third Reich. This particular design became the basis for the East German 1956 adopted helmet. Rare. II
Starting Bid: $1,000.00
Place Absentee Bid Now
German 1945 B2 prototype helmet
E-129 German 1945 B2 experimental prototype helmet. A radical design from the standard shaped “Stahlhelm” of WWII. “Turtle shell” shape with a rough O.D. finish and some splotches of a lighter yellow-green camouflage. Top inside stamped in red “Abgenommen…”. Standard type drawstring liner – band is attached to the shell with 3 flanges/fold-over rivets. (One flange is split at the fold.) Black leather chinstrap. This was the last model helmet produced by the Third Reich. This particular design became the basis for the East German 1956 adopted helmet. Rare. II
Starting Bid: $1,000.00
Place Absentee Bid Now
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Havana1122
Member
Hi just found this being sold as a DDR parade helmet it doesn’t fit the normal profile of a ddr helmet apart from the strap what do you all think
