PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: A metal helmet, painted to both its exterior and interior in a khaki color, whose all-around, steep visor is somewhat elongated to what must be the otherwise symmetrical helmet’s front. Four, equidistantly-spaced rivets may be seen to the exterior just above where the apron begins to flare, which secure the interior liner. To either side of the helmet, just below the aforementioned rivets, are smaller rivets, which secure the interior bases of the swiveling "rings" for the chin strap. Also to either side, above the liner rivets and close to the crown, are ventilation lugs similar to those found on German and Austrian helmets from the First World War. On the right side of the helmet is stenciled in white "71". To the interior is its brown leather liner, which extends from behind the metal headband fixed by the exterior rivets, and is comprised of a sweatband to which is sewn six triangular "fingers." Each finger has to it six ventilation holes, in arrangements of three, two and one, with a tie string threaded though the grommets to their points. One grommet is almost torn loose. Above and to either side of the sweatband are the rectangular "rings" around which are wrapped and riveted the ends of the blackened leather chin strap. The longer portion of the chin strap has three perforations near its end, through two of which pass its securing rivet, a 3 3/4" long, rectangular opening to its widened center section, against which the wearer’s chin would rest, and seven buckling holes to its free end. The other portion of the chin strap has two perforations for its securing rivet, and a single-pronged, steel buckle, with a leather retaining loop just beyond it, and a protective leather flap beneath it. Both portions of the chin strap are getting dry and cracked with age. The leather sweatband is moderately worn, with discolorations and a couple of small tears. The paint to the helmet has been almost entirely retained, with surface spotting to the exterior and edge of the visor. A very complete example.

GRADE***3/4                             PRICE $450.00