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Light weight helmets were manufactured in
both aluminum and a fiber composite material and were available to
officers on a private purchase basis for ceremonial and parade use.
Generally speaking, older men often chose to purchase these light
weigh models as opposed to wear the standard combat helmet.
Fiber parade helmets came in several different patterns, one of which
is depicted below. The example shown was manufactured by the
firm of Robert Lubstein better known as the "Erel" firm for those who
collect visor caps. The Erel firm was considered a premier
manufacturer of superb quality visor hats and fiber parade helmets,
and as such sold them directly as well as through authorized uniform
dealers. Many officers had direct access to suppliers stationed
locally near their military base, much to the same degree that modern
soldiers have access to similar base supply stores. The example
shown bears the "Erel" mark of the Robert Lubstein name. The
interior rear skirt has a hand painted name depicting the officer who
originally wore this helmet. Decals used on these helmets came
in a variety of styles and were commercially produced by the hat
makers or were purchased locally and applied to the helmets. The
patterns are slightly different than standard regulation insignia,
although army issued insignia often appear on these helmets as well.
In many photographs fiber parade helmets can be seen in use by NCO's
and enlisted personnel. Studio portraits often depict a variety
of light weight helmets in use. It is important for collectors
to realize that these helmets were the property of the photographer
and not the enlisted soldier. Most studio photographers
purchased light weight helmets from commercial outlets so that they
had the appropriate "prop" on hand for customers who preferred to be
photographed wearing the classic "Stahlhelm." One such image is
shown below (bottom right of page) and depicts and enlisted solider
wearing a light weight metal helmet most often identified as one that
was manufactured commercially by an Austrian firm. Helmets of
this sort will typically bear a variety of liner systems and
chinstraps which resemble those often found in other civic model
helmets used by the German Order Police.
Detailed
Photos of a Fiber Parade Helmet
Left side of helmet.
Right side of helmet.
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