hmm..

[Michael Kuligowski]

I was just wondering guys about that SS helmet from one of our members site Ken Niewiarowicz
I know that Ken is very honest dealer - so just wonder who sold this helmet to Him with a story about aredennes ???
helmet came from Poland 4-5 years ago...

pictures - when it was still in Poland..

[Michael Kuligowski]

inside...

[Michael Kuligowski]

signature.....

this helmet today looks like that:
http://germanhelmetsinc.com/340%20M40%20SS0006.jpg

it's incredible how easy it is to create a impression of untouched helmet..

[Panzergrenadiere71]

it's incredible how easy it is to create a impression of untouched helmet..

I agree....incredible

[Hambone]

And more impressive, an SS helmet owned by The Fonz.

[Colorado]

Good catch Mike - That is scary, wonder how it wound up in a Vet's hands.

[Panzergrenadiere71]

And more impressive, an SS helmet owned by The Fonz.

[Dean Brock]

Wasn't that helmet recently for sale on the estand by another member?

[ROBB]

I love a mystery .I think we need to send for Hercule Poirot .Rob.

[powdermonkey]

Now that's real interesting, and scary at the same time. I hope we'll hear the whole story behind this one.

[powdermonkey]

Wasn't that helmet recently for sale on the estand by another member?

No, that was a different one,

Andrew

[Michael Kuligowski]

this SS helmet was sold some years ago by B&S in Poland - so we may ask them - whom they sold it and where the ardennes history was created...

[Ken N]

I was just wondering guys about that SS helmet from one of our members site Ken Niewiarowicz
I know that Ken is very honest dealer - so just wonder who sold this helmet to Him with a story about aredennes ???
helmet came from Poland 4-5 years ago...

pictures - when it was still in Poland..

I can well understand the "Hmm..." title of this thread. It appears that a remarkable addition has been made to the history of this helmet.

Here are the facts that I know; I actually sold this helmet on my website twice. In the fall of 2004, I bought this helmet from a collector whom I had just met who lives out west. At that time, it was bought as it was with no word of any provenance. Soon after, I sold it on my web-site. The buyer was a European and the helmet was sent to him. Some months later, I bought several other helmets from this same collector out west and he mentioned that the SS M40 had been gotten in the Ardennes. I thought it to be interesting but a rather moot point since by that time, I didn't own the helmet any more.

The European collector eventually sold the M40 to another collector who lives in the states. This month, that collector sent the helmet to me to be sold on my site. When writing the description, I included the information that it had been gotten in the Ardennes.

I am no longer in contact with the man from whom I bought it so I cannot say where or when he came up with the "provenance" on this piece. I highly doubt that he got this information from B&S in Poland.

The helmet was sold by me just last week and the buyer has now been informed of the situation regarding the origin. This should be a reminder to us all of the often dubious value of verbal provenance in regard to an item.

[Michael Kuligowski]

Very true Ken !!

It's amazing how these items travel... thats why a famous motto: "buy items not the story" is more and more important...

I didnt have a chance to put my hands on this one - bur I believe that liner wasnt replaced by takeing off the whole rim and rivets - more likely just a new leather with springs was put into exisitng band...

well... still a nice helmet.... but why somebody made a story of arennes.. hahaha...

cheers !

[blurred-edge]

B&S comment :-)

Hi,
I am sorry for the late post but I've missed the thread. The M40 SS Helmet was picked up by me personally in Poland ( Silesia ) at local flee market. Me and Blazej didn't sell it with any other story :-)

Happy Collecting !
Szymon, B&S Militaria
http://www.bands-militaria.com