Original Irish Free State M1927 Vickers Stahlhelm with Liner & Chinstrap - Liner by T. Smith & Son of Dublin - Extremely Rare
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Original Item. Only One Available. This is a very worn example of a helmet we have only had one of before. The Vickers helmet—in spite of its British manufacture, its ‘German’ style rendered it the butt of much anti-Irish British propaganda. During the 1920s the newly formed Irish Defence Forces began looking for a steel helmet. At first the French Adrian model, named after its inventor, August-Louis Adrian, was tested on a limited scale but was found to be unsatisfactory. Eventually it was decided to choose the German helmet used in the First World War, and in November 1926 the Irish government approached the German consulate requesting a modern sample. The German Foreign Office’s reply, dated 30 December 1926, advised that the export of steel helmets was prohibited under the terms laid down by the Versailles Treaty, and for that reason they were unable to comply.
So the Irish Free State had to look elsewhere: an order for 5,000 helmets was placed with Vickers & Co. Ltd, London, and the design was to be based on the German pattern worn during the Great War. The German consulate in Dublin reported to the Foreign Office in Berlin on 16 August 1927 to the effect that Vickers & Co. had been asked to deliver the helmets ‘to be tested for their expediency during the autumn manoeuvres next year’.
This example is in good order but is missing the Irish badge to the front which would hook into the two riveted loops. The helmet is correctly painted white with heavy chipping and paint loss. The original three-pad leather liner is intact, and is actually stamped with the maker’s mark:
T. SMITH & SON
1927 DUBLIN
The three pillows are retained in the pads. The original chinstrap is attached, but the stitching at one end is nearly undone. The rear skirt retains stamped markings but they are obfuscated by the chipping white paint, and difficult to discern. The marking would include V. LTD. followed by a lot number. This would indicate manufacture by Vickers in 1927. The front of the helmet still retains the two small posts for attachment of the Irish Free State badge.
A gorgeous example, only the second M27 helmet we’ve offered. Ready for further research and display.
- This product is available for international shipping.
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