German helmet

weimajack

weimajack

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This German helmet is a bring back by a Canadian veteran.

First time I saw one like that.

Anybody know something about this model?


 
Standard German M40 Helmet, with field made camouflage wire net. Finish is similar to the ones applied on the Normandy Wall (cement powder mixed in with paint).
 
Why did they have the wire wrap ? Was it to attach branches or twigs for camouflage ?

Yes that is exactly the reason, many variations on this with field made and factory made ones.
 
Camos and wire are highly faked. Not saying this one is, but it takes a lot of looking and knowledge to verify it.

Even "vet" found pieces can be suspect. Lots of vet stuff was picked up post war. Its not a guarantee.

Looks interesting though.

Post it on germanhelmetwalhalla

They are the authority on german helmets, end of story.
 
I had a good talk with my restoration mentor a couple months back and he brought up a good point regarding German WWII uniforms, kit and reenactors. Reenacting (something I have done a couple times and cannot figure out what its about) has been around for what 30-35 years or so. Now there was a a company in Germany (Janke I believe) sewing up copies of WWII uniforms with the correct cotton and wools, maybe even sewn up on the same maschines and by the same women as during the war. So an early reenactor wears his uniform to his little weekend battles, does that for a couple years, gets the dirt, sweat and stains that one would achieve in wartime and then sells his outfit. I bet it would be a dead ringer for being original after getting that look of field time as be passed off as same. Now it seems there are people who have made a little cottage industry making fake, aged uniforms and kit that is next to impossible to detect. As for a vet bring back, it could be a post war vet bring back as Europe was awash with kit for decades after 1945, even vehicles have been (post war) vet bring backs.
 
Enlarge the photos, then look carefully.

That wire has been on that lid for a long time.

Wire sections look too long to have been made out of coat-hangers. Looks more purpose-made.

And old.

But what do I know, anyway?

I don't even have a Picatinny rail on my SKS!!!
 
This is standard M40 helmet, based on the photos I'd estimate that it's either a size 62 or 64. If the camouflage is original that would indicate that this helmet comes from DAK or the Mediterranean front. As CanadianAR has pointed out these are highly faked. With the pictures you've provided it's impossible to tell weather this one is authentic or not. May we see close ups of the split pins, decal areas and of course the interior? We'll also need to see photos of the interior shell markings. If this helmet is legitimate it would bring a pretty hefty price but more analysis is necessary before a conclusion can be reached.
 
Fresh rust is orange, old rust is brown and really old rust is black. Hard to fake it. I'm no expert and few here would be, but if it smells like paint or rust there's probably issues, otherwise it looks like a really cool lid.
 
The sad thing is that so many of these helmets are fake and the fakers are so good now that it's becoming extremely hard to tell.

If that helmet is authentic, it's very desirable and very valuable.

I am curious to see what happens with this one. I really hope it's the real deal, in which case you are extremely lucky!

Can you tell us the source of this helmet? Did you purchase it from the veteran -- if so you should make an effort to document that with the helmet!

-Steve
 
Veteran is dead last spring at 91.

Now his son keep it's war souvenirs, and believe me, he have many.

This veteran was a real fither always on the front line, wounded 3 times, and always ready to go to ---- some Germans.

This helmet is 100% authentic.

Thsi guy have a great respect for his father, nothing is for sale.
 
weimajack said:
Veteran is dead last spring at 91.

Now his son keep it's war souvenirs, and believe me, he have many.

This veteran was a real fither always on the front line, wounded 3 times, and always ready to go to ---- some Germans.

This helmet is 100% authentic.

Thsi guy have a great respect for his father, nothing is for sale.
Click to expand...

You can tell his son that his father had good taste in German helmets! Camo and wire and very rare. Most of the vest took the wire off!

I would keep it if I were him also - would be crazy to sell that if it's the real thing.

-Steve
 
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