Original Item: Only One Available. This is a fine example of a WWI Imperial German Roold Pattern Aviator’s Crash Helmet, the first we have ever had the pleasure of offering!. Typically used by Imperial German bomber crews, this Roold-style helmet is made of pressed vulcanized material with compressed felt-filled bumper pads across the crown and around the brim which are made of an oilcloth material. The Helmet is fitted with a short, stiff black leather bill. Generally, these helmets are more commonly observed being constructed almost entirely of leather. But variations do exist, especially with the material shortage Germany was facing during WWI.

The helmet has neck, nape, and side flaps which are constructed of a brown leather. Each side flap is fitted with circular ear cutouts, each fitted with flaps which can snap open or closed as needed (the interior reverse of one of the snaps is marked “WOCH”). The chinstrap fastens by the means of a faux leather covered buckle which is constructed of a brown painted stamped steel. The interior of the helmet is lined with a brown cotton, with the interior of the crown fitted with eight brown leather suspension “fingers”. There are no markings evident inside the helmet, which is not uncommon.

The helmet body is painted with an oilcloth paint compound, which was intended to offer weatherproofing and a more durable finish to the exterior. Size is very small, roughly 6 ⅞ or a 7. It is highly unusual to find one of these helmets in unaltered condition, as they were typically used by the German military and auxiliaries (such as the NSKK) in the 1930s to the end of WWII. This helmet does not show any signs of having insignia added, a telltale sign of post war use.

An excellent opportunity to obtain a very hard-to-find piece of Imperial German headgear!