M 1951 Bereitschaftspolizei Hamburg - West German Police Helmet - Two Variations

[Sleepwalker]

Hi there,

this type of helmet has already been discussed in other places but has never been specifically presented. Which I would like to catch up on now.

Here is the first variant

The riot police of the federal states were founded on October 27, 1950 by an administrative agreement between the federal state governments and the federal government as paramilitary groups. The establishment of the riot police ran almost parallel to the establishment of the Federal Border Guard. The background was the Cold War, which had come to a head since mid-1950 with the start of the Korean War. A regular Bundeswehr did not yet exist. So these police units also served as a quasi army replacements and to deal with internal conflicts .

Like the other West German federal states, Hamburg was asked from 1951 to set up a riot police.

Given the size of Hamburg, it is a rather small standby police unit, which explains the rarity of these helmets.

At that time, every German federal state had its own uniforms with their own colors.

This helmet is kept in the color green-gray.
The paint is a thick, shock-resistant glossy enamel paint.
The helmet does not have a manufacturer's stamp or a shell size.
Based on the characteristic ventilation holes and other features, I consider this helmet series to be a product by the manufacturer Linnemann & Schnetzer from Ahlen (LS or L.S.-A).































Two coats of arms are attached to the side. On one side the coat of arms of the city of Hamburg and on the other the coat of arms of the Federal Republic of Germany in black, red and gold.
The origin of the castle depicted on the city's coat of arms is not clear. The oldest surviving seal with this coat of arms dates from 1241. It is assumed that it shows one of the castles (for example the Hammaburg or Bischoffsburg) or the city fortifications with the tower of the medieval Cathedral of Mary in the middle.

Here we have the first variant of the Hamburg helmet emblem with a light beige castle on a red background.




The interior is a really very simplified M1931 interior. The leather was sewn onto a plastic ring. In the forehead area, the leather is lined with foam rubber, otherwise with felt.






In order to adapt the size of the interior to the shell, pieces of cork were simply placed underneath.




The rivets are bent over on the inside through the ring.








The chinstrap itself is very strong, painted black on the outside and has a green painted buckle.
It was sewn and riveted to the plastic inner ring. It is not simply interchangeable with it. Very impractical in my opinion.


















Regards

[Sleepwalker]

Here is the second variety.


It is an M1951 from another manufacturer.
I personally suspect that these helmets were bought later.

The shell shows some differences from the first variety. In addition to a partially grainy metal surface and other slight quality defects, these shells have a different shape of the ventilation holes. Here, too, there are neither manufacturers nor shell size stamps.
In my opinion it could be a product of the United Deutsche Nickelwerke Schwerthe (NS or VDNS).

There are also differences in color. It is dark green, was applied quite thinly and is rather matt.































Helmet badges are also attached here. The city coat of arms also has the light beige castle. Differences in color and pattern exist and are certainly due to the manufacturer.




With the simplified inner lining 1931 there are few differences to the 1st variant. Only the split pins white washers on the inside.
The head size is stamped outside and inside.




















Here, too, the difference between the inner lining size and the helmet edge was compensated for by cork washers.




The main difference is in the chinstrap. It has a different black lacquered buckle than the first variant. Otherwise it is also sewn and riveted.
















Regards

[Sleepwalker]

Here is another copy of the 2nd variety. Also to show that this was probably not an exception.
































The coats of arms are also nice here.




Here you can also see how the small head size 54 has been adapted to the 64'er shell.




Details of the inner lining






The inner lining fastening








The chin strap
















Regards

[ruddersrangers44]

simply outstanding.you must have good knowledge on where to find such beauties sleepwalker.all your threads are totally top draw and show the best of post-war Germany steel helmets,what a collection and perfectly photographed.thanks for sharing.