A Rare First War German Imperial Aviators Flight Helmet

This is a well preserved First War Imperial German Imperial Standard Issue Aviation Safety Helmet as depicted on page 137 in Mich Prodger’s Vintage Flying Helmets - Aviation Headgear Before The Jet Age. This helmet is modeled after a Roold-Style aviation helmet, with additional bumpers on the crown and the outer border of the helmet. It is constructed in olive green painted cork and leather, with an all-leather interior, including the leather bill (neck guard) and large ear flaps, with a buckle under the chin. The helmet features a nine-finger adjustable liner, but is missing the cotton twill for adjustment. The interior of the helmet is marked with several black ink stamps, one being “58” (size, in cm), with an additional maker stamp “Flg. Bekl, Döberitz, 1918” on the neck guard. The helmet displays signs of wear and age, with some cracked leather on the outside border, as well as marked and lightly soiled leather on the inside of the helmet. Overall near very fine condition.

Footnote: During the First World War, when flight was still in its infancy, early motorcycle helmets were used and adapted for flight. The Germans adopted Roold-style helmets, but added additional guards on the crown and around the edge of the flying helmet for protection.. These helmets are considered rare as most pilots were killed in action, since none had a chance of escape from a crash-landing plane. After the war, many safety features such as armour around the pilot’s seat and parachutes were developed to reduce the number of aviator casualties.