M15 Steel Wappen
Joseph P. Robinson.

In 1980 a collector named Lector Orrick started to put together a study on steel helmet plates.  This was published in the Journal Kaiserzeit, and this article expands upon that.  The question that we seek to answer is which helmets actually had M15 gray, steel counterparts.  The requirement is to find an actual steel helmet plate that is magnetic, not a prewar brass paint over.  The true test is to find a picture of each of these helmets.  This is an enlisted phenomena for a helmet that was introduced in July of 1915.  It was the last pickelhaube in use before steel helmets took over. There are several categories we will deal with:  1.) A documented example in a collection with a picture. 2.)An allegedly documented Wappen is from the Orrick articles.  3.)Undocumented examples. I am far from satisfied with the order and content of Wappen listed. However, I decided to stay with the Orrick listing as that way I could match up the documentation with his list. I know his methodology is not even alphabetical. Perhaps I will change it in the future.

Rather than list all of the different helmet plate types I tried to list only the sizes once. For instance, the 95 mm Prussian line eagle was used on several helmets. Rather than list them all I put down only the 95 mm Prussian line eagle. This includes no difference between gilt and silver Wappen. When it came to gray steel original color did not matter. I did this while trying to keep the original methodology. It did not always work and it doesn't always make sense. Tony Schnurr has explained a great measuring technique that can standardize Wappen measurements in the following forum thread: http://pickelhaubes.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=45

This entire article is based on pictures from other peoples collections. John O'Connor and Jim Turinetti graciously allowed me to use their line drawings from their excellent work "Imperial German Headgear". You can purchase this work from the authors at: www.kaiserhelmets.com  A review of the work is located at: http://www.pickelhauben.net/books/Turinetti.html

The number of M15 helmets in my collection is zero. This is about research. Please send any corrections or additions I can use the advice. We can certainly use the pictures!

line eagle with the initials FR

115 mm

Saxon infantry

104 mm

Saxon 108th- shako

82 mm

Wurrtemberg

125 mm

Bavaria

110 mm

with significant variants

Saxon --

82 mm

line Eagle

webbing between wings and legs

Bavarian Cavalry

145 mm

Oddly,Orrick did not differentiate this helmet. The consensus at that time appears to be that the mounted troops still had vine leaves.

This was in Kube auction 112 - depot stamp and all.

line Prussian eagle

95 mm

Not differentiated by Orrick

Wurt Uhlan

95 mm

UNDOCUMENTED

Penn,Waterloo,

Gohrde

Penn,Waterloo,

Gohrde-Colberg

What is this?

Seems to be original may be one-of-a-kind?

What is this?

It is the only officer one I have seen. Not magnetic–not steel.