Hungary, Kingdom. A Rare Austro-Hungarian Veteran’s Stahlhelm-Style Felt Helmet

A rare and extremely well-preserved Austro-Hungarian veteran’s Stahlhelm-style felt helmet. It is constructed of a sturdy moss-green pressed felt shell, and is securely crimped along the rim for a smooth edge. The exterior details of the helmet faithfully recreate the features of the Austrian M17 Stahlhelm, and include decorative dual protruding painted wooden ventilation holes, with three painted non-ferrous metal rivets securing in place the interior features. Stitched onto the peak is an ornate insignia consisting of a moss-green felt disc bearing a hand-embroidered gold bullion wire monogram of Kaiser Karl (Emperor Charles I), measuring 80 mm in overall diameter. The interior retains a buckram-lined cork band, secured in place with the aforementioned metallic rivets, in turn bearing a brown leather sweatband. Also emanating from the band is a two-piece green leather chinstrap, with one end perforated with six eyelets meeting a functional magnetic metal button on the opposite strap for a fully customizable fit. The interior crown retains a mostly intact manufacturer’s label for a hat maker based out of Budapest’s Klotild-palota. The helmet measures 220 mm (w) x 310 mm (l) x 160 mm (h). Minor, age-appropriate signs of material fatigue are evident to the felt and leather elements, but this rare helmet is in an overall near extremely fine condition.