UBB.threads Forums Uniform & Accessories Helmet Forum ss M42 camo

Well I have revamped my photos and will try again. This is a helmet that I am not going to give any needless info on. It is either real or it isn't. I know how rare these are in reality so judge for yourselves. I just hope the photos have enough detail for everyone. ET 64 shell with old musty smell inside and out. No paint smell at all. Just depends on the decal of course. I suppose it should be a second pattern style ET decal. What say you? David

Photo#2

Photo#3

Photo#4

Photo#5

Photo#6

Photo#7

last one #8 Thanks, David

A couple of other photos. Don't know if they add anything. David

One more.

One more. Hard to get the sheen on this. David

i almost like it, heavy wear and age, however a little concerned about rounding to decal bottom, could just be the camo, see what the other guys say, imo i would not buy it, sorry.

must be my age, forgot to add i think the naming in the lid appears post war, an ss camo named is indeed a rarety

looks like one of them latvian specials.whole thing looks post war worked.

I can live with what ever you guys think but if it is post war I can't imagine how it was done. The dust inside the liner is old. The liner is old. The paint is brittle and won't come off, and it overlaps the decal so I realize it is all just the decal. If it is bad it is bad. If it is good then the other stuff must be right. I have all of Kelly Hick's books and my eye just can't see much difference in this and the ET decals in the book. BUT, I haven't handled a lot real helmets, but then how do you?Ha! David

dont forget david, that like doctors, we are only educated guesses, like a doctor can put ailments together and get a diagnoseis, we can also do so.i really like it, however as i said, to rounded bottom, and the name im sure is a juicy worm on the hook. we have to be realistic im affraid,where did you buy it ?

Got it from a privat guy in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Much of his other stuff was totally real, a few daggers, German1942 field surgeons kit, etc. There is a story that it came from a veteran's trunk out of Italy bla, bla. I was most wary of the price, cheep. I know how rare these are. And they are expensive! So took a chance. I sort of know what to look for. I can make a case in my mind that it is real but I can understand that everyone would be skeptical to the extreme and I don't blame you, Heck, I am! I knew that if you could say definitively that the decal was bad then that is all you need to know. But wow the aging and the attention to detail by the forger is extreme. Look at photo number two and look at the left side of the bill. The ware on the paint is right were the soldier would put his fingers to take the helmet off if right handed etc. David

Was hoping that someone like Darryl could just take one look and say thumbs up or down on the decal. He seems to have the eye for it. I am trying to. David

I do not feel that is an original helmet. Just my opinion.

Bryan, I assume that you mean that the SS camo aspects of the helmet are not good to you. The shell and the liner I think were or are original at some point. Even I know that the decal is close at least. If it was way off even I would never have bothered to post it here. I ignored the name in the helmet because I knew that it would not matter if the other stuff was wrong. David

quote:

Originally posted by violin:
Was hoping that someone like Darryl could just take one look and say thumbs up or down on the decal. He seems to have the eye for it. I am trying to. David

Violin,

Thank you for the vote of confidence. I apologize for the late response but I simply do not visit here at GDC very often.

My opinion is that this helmet is indeed a fake. Probably a real M42 that has been "enhanced" with addition of the SS decal, name and camo paint job. The bad decal is the obvious giveaway.

Sorry for the bad news.

Cheers,

well not to cast any shadows on this particular helmet but there are some very good talent in the fakers world,they think of everything and sometimes thats what is what you find on pieces,Dust,Dirt,Grime,Fingerprints,Sweat,Blood you name it they do it.

Also you have to look at price,If you didnt get taken BADLY then if you like it (I think its a cool looking one) then put her on the shelf and enjoy.

TOM

Darryl and everyone, thanks for your reply. I believe you are correct. I am starting to see a difference in this decal and another one that I know of which is real. Still very subtle differences. David PS you can't use paint smell to go by because this one has none. David PPS Darryl could I send you some photos to look at that are not resized yet? David

Looks like a typical ebay special ,I wonder if the liner is new and has been soaked in water for a bit to give it that finishing touch .You must remember that every helmet on ebay gets vetted by forum members and if it were real then the finishing price would have been over $4000 .Rob

I think Darryl is correct and my opinion also is that this is an original helmet that was worked on the outside, but how you do it with not a hint of paint odor is beyond me. The photos do not show the age of the liner and dust and rust. I am well aware of the real price for these type helmets and was prepared for this. If I could see the clear differences in the decal I would not have had to even post this. But this one is close to an ET decal. That is why in my opinion, books are of finite value. There is not enough detail. You simply must handle the real thing enough. David

Hello All,

I don't like that helmet and decal sorry

Sebastian.

The decal does not seem metallic in appearance like I think it should.

first impression is that this helmet is a post-war re-work.if it was real there'd be no doubt!paintwork is not patinated enough to be genuine & that decal's a joke IMO-no metallic appearance & the dimensions don't look good either.the liner really gives the game away as a genuine item will look aged as if it's been worn under combat conditions (or any conditions come to that).by that i mean sweat staining etc. plus the effect storage has on the leather over 60+ years.it does indeed look like a Latvian re-work but anyone could've done this one over a few days with the required parts.
Bill

I agree ... not a good one..