A few years ago(2005), I was perusing a gun forum that I frequent. A poster, that I did not know, wrote concerning a relic shell of a German WWI helmet in Afghanistan. Evidently, a number of WWI German helmet shells ended up in Afghanistan post WWI. The then, new, nation of Czechslovakia sold a number of these shells to the burgeoning Afghani army in the 1920's and 30's. This particular shell was interesting, even in relic condition, because it was the rare "ear cut-out" model that was made late in 1918 as the war was winding down.
The forum poster turned the helmet down and left the owner's, in Afghanistan, email address up as an opportunity. I emailed the gentleman...and he had an interesting story. He had served in Rhodesia in the late 70's as a young mercenary, as a US Marine officer in the 1980's and eventually ended up in Afghanistan as a medic with a private agency. Very interesting gentlemen. He sent me photos of his mercenary days and after...and current ones of him in Afghanistan. He ased me not to post these unfortunately. He did send some photos of the helmet in the hands of the Afghani junk dealer(original owner) and a young boy, outside the shop, wearing the shell. See photos. From the photos the shell looked complete with most of the original paint.
I sent the money order(at a very fair price!) and some warm socks, cookies and other necessities the gentleman needed in cold winter Afghanistan.
I received the helmet and gave it a very gentle cleaning to leave the original paint undisturbed and then bought an authentic, reproduction liner that was made for this particular helmet to WWI specs. I now have a rare WWI M18, German ear cut-out helmet.
The forum poster turned the helmet down and left the owner's, in Afghanistan, email address up as an opportunity. I emailed the gentleman...and he had an interesting story. He had served in Rhodesia in the late 70's as a young mercenary, as a US Marine officer in the 1980's and eventually ended up in Afghanistan as a medic with a private agency. Very interesting gentlemen. He sent me photos of his mercenary days and after...and current ones of him in Afghanistan. He ased me not to post these unfortunately. He did send some photos of the helmet in the hands of the Afghani junk dealer(original owner) and a young boy, outside the shop, wearing the shell. See photos. From the photos the shell looked complete with most of the original paint.
I sent the money order(at a very fair price!) and some warm socks, cookies and other necessities the gentleman needed in cold winter Afghanistan.
I received the helmet and gave it a very gentle cleaning to leave the original paint undisturbed and then bought an authentic, reproduction liner that was made for this particular helmet to WWI specs. I now have a rare WWI M18, German ear cut-out helmet.
M18 German Stahlhelm
The helmet in the shop keeper's hands. I had to have it in my collection!
Helmet on Afghani youngster
Outside the shop of the man named Aziz. Notice the light rust and dirt on helmet
Gently cleaned helmet.
In the US and in my collector hands! Here is the helmet after being gently cleaned. Later, I will post pics of the helmet with original-pattern reproduction liner.