PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: A stamped steel construction helmet that retains about 75% of its smooth olive-drab paint to its exterior, with some scratches and light to moderate surface spotting, and about 80% of its smooth olive-drab paint to the interior with light surface spotting. Stenciled to the front of the helmet in large red letters is "D S B " above "11-19" while about 1 1/2" above the rim can be seen seven rivet heads, five for the liner and two for the chin strap. There is a "D" ring, attached by a rivet and washer, to either side of the interior though which the two piece chin strap is looped. The leather chin strap consists of a short piece, which ends in a single prong roller buckle, looped through the right "D" ring and attached to itself by a steel rivet and a long piece with seven adjustment holes to the loose end with a split chin cup, attached to the "D" ring by a steel rivet and six adjustment eyelets. The liner consists of five, individually attached, stuffed leather pads, each with two small lobes with grommet holes for the included leather adjustment lace. Each of the pads attachment ends are wrapped around a small steel bar that is held in place by a single split rivet. The liner is in good condition with although it is moderate to heavily usage stained. The helmet is surface spotted inside and out but is still in good condition.

New info added Nov 3rd 2008.

"These helmets were not purchased in 1938. After WWII had begun, allied air raids against danish trains slowly became more frequent. As the pressure mounted, the danish civil servants of the national railroads refused to carry on unless they were issued with protective equipment. As the danish authorities was unable to procure any such items due to the allready overloaded german industry, the only available source at the time, they had to tell the germans that the trains would no longer run, unless the problem found a solution. The germans needed the trains as well, and in order to maintain normal service, cz helmets were delivered from german military stores, where they had been since the adoption of Cz in 1938. So they were delivered by the germans, to the danish government, and they probably had to sign papers to the effect that they were to pay for them, eventually. This came to null when the germans surrendered in 1945.For us collectors it is of interest that some of the small metal discs soldered to the rim of the helmet, with danish railroad markings can be related directly to the individual locomotive where it was used. The letter/number configuration is the Litra and the number of the engine. Those issued to station personnel are harder to pin to a location". 

Michael, thank you for the additional information.

Peter

GRADE***1/4                             PRICE $702.00