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Stahlhelm: Evolution of the German Steel Helmet by Floyd R. Tubbs &
Robert Clawson
This
117 page softbound book is a revised version of the same book published
in the 1970's. Released a second time in 2000, this book is currently
available for about $20 US. The primary author (now deceased) was
a well known and respected collector of military helmets from around the
world. His efforts at publishing a book on the German helmet was
one of the first endeavors ever taken on by a collector in this area.
From a
reader's standpoint the text is rather basic, but it does cover a wide
range of information regarding the German helmet and its development
from the First World War to the Cold War. This Second Edition appears
more like an abbreviated version of some of the information written in
the book by Ludwig Baer.
Unlike
other works, an advantage to this book is that the text is written in
such a way as to give the reader the short story behind the German
helmet along with perspectives on its development over time. An
interesting emphasis is also placed on Austrian model World War I
helmets which is something that does not appear in other works on the
same subject.
From a
photographic standpoint, there are no color photos of any kind and those
shown are small and difficult to see. In addition, several of the
helmets photographed are in fact old reproductions and can not be
considered solid photographic comparison for use in determining if a
helmet is original.
To the
reader, the revised edition will seem identical to the 1970's edition
with a redesigned cover. Even so, for someone who are uninterested in
Ludwig Baer's book, this softbound handbook fills an interesting gap
when it comes to understanding the development of the German helmet.
Because
the book contains photos of a number of old reproductions, readers are
advised to avoid using the photographs in this book as detailed examples
for comparison to originals. This is particularly true of those
illustrated as World War II helmets with decals of any kind. |
