Super Rare WW1 Austrian Berndorfer Helmet in Excellent Condition
Quite simply the finest example of the rarest helmet of the First World War. The Austrian Berndorfer was designed and manufactured by Krupp/ A.
Berndorf of Lower Austria in response to the critical need for helmets for Austrian troops, particularly on the Isonzo front. In many ways the Berndorf helmet as it came to be known was an emergency measure. Germany had supplied helmets in limited numbers to Austrian troops up until May 1917 when the Berndorf helmet first started to be issued to Austrian troops at the front. The Berndorf was only issued from May 1917 to November 1917 and less than 140,000 were ever made, making it the rarest of all the combat used helmets of WW1. Despite this very limited run of numbers, there were variations in manufacture of the Berndorf helmet principally in the type of inner ring and attachment points of the chin straps (which were the Austrian linen type with leather and metal ends/attachments).This is an outstanding example of a Berndorf with all original fixtures in terms of the lining, chin straps and ring. All 100% original and completely untouched. Anyone who has ever tried to find a Berndorf for their collection will realise how scarce these helmets are.
What examples have survived tend to be shells only and in pretty corroded condition, or they have been re-used later and altered. This is in its original configuration with its original paintscheme, liner, just as it came from production and is 100% original from my own collection - guaranteed. The helmet has its original greeny brown paint scheme that is in very good condition with a wonderful patina. Bumps and some minor corrosion around the rim but otherwise excellent. The ventilation at the top of the helmet have slight corrosion but surface only.The two screws on other side of the helmet have slight surface corrosion too, but very superficial. I have taken close up photographs of all of these points but if you need any more, or photographs of other parts of the helmet, please don't hesitate to ask. The interior of the helmet is is excellent condition too.
On the rear skirt of the helmet is the Berndorf mark of the bear with 64 underneath (the size). It's not the boldest of stampings but I have tried to show it in the best light in the photograph. There is also an R stamped on the inner left skirt of the shell. Again, happy to provide additional photographs upon request. The three liner pads are in excellent condition. There are no pads in the liners and I'm not sure there ever have been. One of the tongues on each of the three liner leather liners is stamped M D 1917 (please see photographs).The metal liner is strong and in place with no corrosion. The drawstring is the original to the helmet. This has been the the finest and rarest helmet in my collection or many years. It is a very reluctant sale.
It is a 100% original example of the rarest helmet of the Great War. Please do not hesitiate to ask any questions or to request further photos of this wonderful helmet. The item "Super Rare WW1 Austrian Berndorfer Helmet in Excellent Condition" is in sale since Sunday, November 17, 2019. This item is in the category "Collectables\Militaria\World War I (1914-1918)\Helmets/ Hats". The seller is "owainlawgoch" and is located in Vienna.
This item can be shipped worldwide.- Modified Item: No
- Country/Region of Manufacture: Austria
- Country/ Organization: Austria
- Issued/ Not-Issued: Issued
- Type: Helmet
- Conflict: World War I (1914-1918)
- Clothing Type: Helmets/ Hats
- Service: Army
- Era: 1914-1945