Gents,

 

I thought I would post a Leather Feuerwehr (FW) Pickelhaube for a NCO or Officer that I picked up recently. This helmet was  made for a generic Fire Department as evidenced by the front Wappen plate.  Notice the black leather helmet corpus has a brass comb that usually denotes a Sergeant or Officer.  It also has a generic front plate that shows a side view of a Fire Chief's helmet as designated by the comb being decorated with oak leaves instead of being plain.  The shield on the fancy Chief's helmet also has the letters "F W" visible that designate "Feuerwehr" or Fire Service.  The front plate also has crossed FW hand axes to designate the Feuerwehr.  See Ludwig Baer, "The History of the German Steel Helmet 1916-1945" for more information on German Fire Department helmets.  

 

This black leather helmet has the typical issue style fingered liner and spike helmet construction. It has brass fittings throughout and the large front plate is typical of Volunteer Fire Departments, some of which will indicate the city. This helmet also has a leather chinstrap that was fastened by an iron buckle. Notice the helmet has no cockades although they are sometimes found on these helmets. The interior is stamped with a size stamp on the interior leather back visor.  The front plate and comb are attached with bent brass pins or screw bolts and those securing the comb pass though an oval washer that has the maker name of "Lehmann & Wunderberg - Hannover".  

 

A nice example of a Fire Department helmet that served from Imperial and Weimar Republic time periods.  

 

 

Nice fire mans helmet.  Rich A. in Pa.

Thanks Rich.  I like the fact it has a maker marking.