WWI Guards Division Forum

Hello,

Did the Gaurds use sacking helmet covers while in the line? If so, is the material available? pattern? Thanks

Ben

Good question Ben,

Burlap helmet covers were used when the helmets were first issued in 1916. Soldiers noticed that the smooth apple green paint had a bad habit of reflecting when wet, so they made covers out of old sandbags to prevent the glare.

Not long after the practice of covering helmets with burlap, did the medical corps discovered that a larger number of head wounds were becoming infected because of the dirty, muddy burlap helmet covers that were getting into the wounds. As such, orders came down prohibiting enlisted men from wearing helmet covers in late 1916.

To correct the glare of the paint, the British manufacturers began adding texture their helmets with sand. The later American helmets were textured with sawdust, and eventually cork on WWII helmets. The color also became darker from the apple green to a more "traditional" olive drab color. As far as we can tell though, based on an original IG helmet in the Guards Museum in London, the Guards Division painted their own helmets a sandy color, with unit markings.

Long story short, since we primarily do a 1918 impression, there is no need for a cover. If you want one should you decide to do a 1916 impression, there are plenty of spare sandbags laying around at Newville, so you can grab one to make a cover.

Cheers!

Jim