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In theory what distinguished the liners to be applied on the first world war helmets from those reserved to the more recent models, are the initials placed on the right side of the external ring, near the size numbers. The initials "a/A" mean alter Art (old style), while "n/A" stands for neue Art (new style). In practice, liners bearing the initials a/A are very scarce.
As said, on the same side of the above mentioned initials there were the indications of the size. Two numbers were always present, the first being the shell size (60, 62, 64, 66, 68 or 70. This last size is very rare to find, it seems that such shells were produced only under special request) and the second describing the head size (from 53 up to 63).
The other side of the outer ring showed the producer markings.
The inner rings had only one marking in the front side indicating the head size. The head size was also repeated on the leather lining, on the first of the nine leather "fingers": sometimes the number, stamped either with dark blue or black ink, was inside a circle. In some cases maker markings can be encountered also on the back of the leather liner, but since that area was subjected to heavy usage, it's very possible that nowadays most of these markings have become illegible.
Below left to right: Variations in size markings as found on liners. Maker markings on different liners. Two liners in almost mint condition.
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