|
Dome Stamps |
|
In order to ensure the quality of the steel
helmets being produced it was determined that a system be put in place
where representatives of the Ministry of War Production (Reichskriegsministerium)
would be on hand at each manufacturing facility to monitor the quality
of the final product. One person was responsible for the
inspection of a limited number of combat helmets manufactured in a given
production run. In order to identify the helmets that had been
inspected an acceptance stamp was created for the purpose of marking the
helmet lots that had been approved for purchase and delivery. It
is important to note that not every helmet produced received the
acceptance stamp (Abnahmestempel). Rather, a system was designed
where a series of helmets were inspected from the total number of
helmets in each production lot. A detailed examination of
surviving helmets indicates that perhaps only 25% of all combat helmets
show this inspection stamp. During the inspection process the
outside of the helmet was examined including the dimensions, weight and
the lacquer finish. Documents indicate that 101 pieces were selected
from a given series and assigned a sequential number. One helmet
was selected for inspection from the total in the given lot. The
inspecting agent was granted the freedom to choose any helmet in the
series regardless of their sequential numbering. The stamps
themselves were inked into the dome of the completed helmet. As a
result, these oval ink marks have come to be known as "dome stamps" by
modern collectors. The nature of the dome stamp was such that it
was applied with permanent ink. Various dome stamp types exist
with many having the year of inspection centered in the middle. In
some cases dome stamps exhibit Roman numerals which might indicate the
inspector's number or perhaps a given inspection lot. Collectors
should be aware that dome stamps have been extensively faked in recent
years as a way of driving up the value of the counterfeit helmet.
The quality of the counterfeit stamps varies from the very poor to the
near perfect. Some reproduction dome stamps are even sold as decal
transfers which are in fact nothing more than historical fantasy.
|
|
|
