DAK Palm tree hand painted insignia on helmet

[Spanish Freiwillige]

Good morning members of the forum, I was wondering if someone had pictures of an original DAK helmet with the painted Afrika Korps palm tree emblem that they could share. I remember I saw one a while back on an auction, but I was not very convinced by it and have read that it was a practice used by soldiers in North Afrika.

I believe that there was no manufacture decal only hand painted insignia, could someon give me any insight.

[marc]

i ahve to see the first original hand painted palm tree,

the ones i saw were not convincing

and i belive it was more a 60'ties movie- thing and a periode thing

Just my opinion

Marc

[Spanish Freiwillige]

Hi marc you are right, I have not seen one that convinces me either nor have i seen period photograph of its use, but I have read in several books that they were used in an individual level. I think that this would be a very advanced and hard to get helmet


I saw one that the pint looked convincing anf the palm tree was hand paited in white prety old, but the liner was definetly a replica and my instinct told me postwar tamperd or aged replica

[Dan P]

The palm tree/swastika insignia was of course painted on tanks and other armored vehicles, so I'm sure it wouldn't be much of a stretch to think that some soldiers painted it on some helmets at some point during the war. The question is - where are they now?

Dan

[Spanish Freiwillige]

I am pretty sure that they might be some out there in the attick of a vetrans family, I saw one for sale in warelics, but not to sure if it was original, seen from the very convincing looks to the very poor replica decals.

Also I am sure that an advance collector might have such a rare pice on his collection. I am also curious if someone has a Fallschirmjager helmet with the shooting star insignia.

It its amazing the use of painted insignia on helmets, for exmaple spanish volunteers used to paint the spanish emblem on their helmets if the decal was not available, It must have been hard to find read and yellow paint at the front.

[Perry Floyd]

This was a display at the '04 Max, the owner has slipped my mind..

[Dan P]

I am pretty sure that they might be some out there in the attick of a vetrans family, I saw one for sale in warelics

Did you say Warelics? Just checking

[marc]

This was a display at the '04 Max, the owner has slipped my mind..

AT LEAST THE CAMO IS REAL

[Dan P]

Looks like we may have a winner. It's possible I guess. Thanks Perry.

Dan

[JohnB]

AK palm tree

Here is a pic of a palm tree stencil on a Luftwaffe water bottle.

[JohnB]

Here is a close-up
John

[Spanish Freiwillige]

Great picture Perry thanks a lot, the camo definetly looks right, and the traces of the DAK definetly matches the overall condition of the helmet.

The insignia in the water bottle is a nice detail, it definetly confirms its use, I think this definetly makes this items quite unique.

Nooky the one in warelics I saw years ago about three I think it might still be in the gallery it was a Luftwaffe helmet with the eagle on one side and the palm tree on the other.

Something i just realized, I have seen a lot of DAK helmets with the owners name painted with read paint on the inside skirt, curious enough this helmet has the insignia painted in read as well. They must have had eassy acces to read paint perhaps

[Dan P]

Something i just realized, I have seen a lot of DAK helmets with the owners name painted with read paint on the inside skirt, curious enough this helmet has the insignia painted in read as well. They must have had eassy acces to read paint perhaps

I was thinking the same thing about the red paint. I don't think someone trying to fake this insignia would necessarily pick red to do it. Not until I just mentioned it anyway . Just going by the pic Perry posted, I would say the insignia is very likely real. The swastika is white, yes.

The water bottle is real nice . Looks like I'll have to start collecting Afrikakorps water bottles now - thanks for nothing

Dan

[Bill Grist]

Owner

This was a display at the '04 Max, the owner has slipped my mind..

Perry, The owner is George Findell from Rock Hill, SC... He had the very large display of German equipment, weapons, uniforms etc......BILL

[Perry Floyd]

Perry, The owner is George Findell from Rock Hill, SC... He had the very large display of German equipment, weapons, uniforms etc......BILL

Thanks Bill