Original Austro-Hungarian WWI M17 Helmet with Original Canvas Cover in Size 68 as Featured on Cover of “At Arms Length: Trench Clubs and Maces” by David F. Machnicki Original Items

Original Item. One-of-a-Kind. It cannot be overstated how unbearably difficult it is to find a First World War helmet with a period-applied canvas/burlap cover. For years, collectors have attempted to make their own by artificially aging covers onto helmets, but it’s impossible to replicate the genuine article. This is one of the most pristine known examples of a period-applied covered steel helmet, and was featured on the cover of “At Arms Length: Trench Clubs and Maces” by David F. Machnicki, which is the most well-known reference material on the topic today. This helmet came from the personal collection of the author.

The helmet itself is a gorgeous & enormous Size 68, manufactured by Warchalowsky, Eissler & Co., based in Wien, Austria. This is indicated by the size stamping along the interior brim, the stylized and overlapping letters “W” and “E” logo followed by the size, 68. Warchalowsky produced less than 10% of the total Austrian helmets manufactured during the war. This maker is so scarce that its origin information is still not available via conventional research methods, only being mentioned in niche message boards. The metal liner band is also stamped with the size, 68. 68 was the largest size manufactured during World War I, and was also the least-produced size. The liner band is still fully attached to the helmet via the three liner pins. All three original liner pads are retained, with all three interior pillows retained as well. One of the three liner pads has a small repair of a tear. The three pads remain connected by the original drawstring that loops through the holes.

The dome of the helmet retains its rolling mills marker, although it is heavily faded. It appears to read H202.

The original chinstrap is still fully retained, with two separate straps connected to the bales riveted onto each side. The strap is in pristine condition, with the buckle fully functional without any heavy oxidation, and the leather tab still present & supple.

The helmet’s cover wraps around the bottom of the helmet, the original drawstring still holding it in place. As shown, there are a few small tears at the brim, from the helmet sitting on this spot for so long. The small leather washers which wrap around the ventilation lugs have shrunken heavily over the past century, stretching some of the canvas along with it, creating a sort of sunburst pattern around the lugs. The staining across the cover comes from a century of patina, and only further dates this phenomenal piece.

This helmet cover appears similar to a model that has been heavily faked over the past decades, particularly featuring the leather washers placed around the ventilation lugs. Here’s a chance to find an actual period example of this style, instead of one of the countless fakes on the market.

It is exceedingly difficult enough to find an Austrian M17 helmet with a full liner & chinstrap, especially in the elusive size 68, let alone one with a period-applied cover. Considering the scarcity of an item like this, we are confident in saying this is the only authentic example you will see for sale for a very long time. Comes ready to become the centerpiece of your World War I Collection.

Austro-Hungarian WWI Helmets Makers

There are only 9 known factories that produced helmets during WWI for the KUK. Unlike the Germans the Austrian pattern helmet are often found without factory stamps and heating lot codes. When the heating lot codes are present it is often on the outer top dome of the helmet instead of the inside. The following is a table of Manufactures codes of helmets produced by the Austrians. Several of these makers did not stamp the code into the shell of the helmet but rather marked them with an ink stamp. Therefore many Austrian shells will be encountered today that seem to have no maker mark as the ink stamp has worn off, but most will have rolling mill codes.

Maker Name Factory Location Maker code Sizes Model

A. Westen Cilli Celie, Slovenia AW 64 M17

Brüder Gottlieb u. Brauchbar Brunn BGB 66 M17

C. A. Scholtz,Mateocz Sloeakei CAS 66 M17

Berndorfer Metal-Warenfabrik Berndorf, Austria “Bear” logo 66 & 64

Warcholowsky, Eissler & Co Wien 66 & 68 M17

Nadrag,Transilvania Transylvania Unknown ? M17

Resicka, Transylvania Transylvania Unknown ? M17

Bleckmann & Poldihutte Klando Boemia Unknown x Stirnpanzer

Gebruder Bohler & Co., Kapfen Austria, Stiria GB “Star” 66 M17