Okay, recently Hessian Antiques has been selling 'original WWII German Helmets'. These helmets were all made/used during WWII but were used post war by Czech Police/Firemen. As a result they are missing the original liners/bands and have been repainted black.
They offer these helmets as 'professionally restored' (repainted/baked) or un-restored (get to do all the work yourself).
About a month ago they had a sale - $129 for an original shell, reproduction line/band/etc. Heck...for $300 landed I purchased 2x shells, once finished they will be great for display and with the prices of lids, even as restored helmets they will still maintain and appreciate in value, albeit not as much as an original/untouched lid.
To my surprise one of the lids came partially restored, whereas the other lid was the classic post war black.
The partially restored helmet is an M42, marked NS64 with a batch number. It was painted in a dark field green (good colour for a late M35 or M40 but not the best for an M42). It also had two 'repro decals', on the right a 'tri colour' (incorrect for an M42) and on the left a decal which I cannot identify.
After much searching I still cannot identify this decal? The red/white triangle is similar to HJ decal but what about the Reich Eagle/Wagon Wheel. Before removing the decal before further restoration I was wondering if anyone knew what type of decal this is?
The interesting thing is Hessian Antiques doesn't even sell this decal....
They offer these helmets as 'professionally restored' (repainted/baked) or un-restored (get to do all the work yourself).
About a month ago they had a sale - $129 for an original shell, reproduction line/band/etc. Heck...for $300 landed I purchased 2x shells, once finished they will be great for display and with the prices of lids, even as restored helmets they will still maintain and appreciate in value, albeit not as much as an original/untouched lid.
To my surprise one of the lids came partially restored, whereas the other lid was the classic post war black.
The partially restored helmet is an M42, marked NS64 with a batch number. It was painted in a dark field green (good colour for a late M35 or M40 but not the best for an M42). It also had two 'repro decals', on the right a 'tri colour' (incorrect for an M42) and on the left a decal which I cannot identify.
After much searching I still cannot identify this decal? The red/white triangle is similar to HJ decal but what about the Reich Eagle/Wagon Wheel. Before removing the decal before further restoration I was wondering if anyone knew what type of decal this is?
The interesting thing is Hessian Antiques doesn't even sell this decal....
