Originally posted by bigdavemac
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Just my opinion, I would leave it as is -
I would leave it as is.Comment
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I agree, leave it be, it's still discernible. That's the point where I would draw the line, because if you replace it, you'd be adding a emblem that's not original. Now maybe if you had an original time period emblem and the condition of that one was much worse, maybe. However, I'm using a piece I have as an example. I have an SA dagger. It is in very good condition minus the scabbard. The scabbard seems as though it was exposed to water for an extended time and has a rusted area, it is slightly deeper then surface rust. Now this area surely has happened after the war, so, is it bad to repair post period damage? This is where I am stuck. I can not see myself selling this, as I am not in the flipping trade to make a dollar, I collect. But, if I leave this area be, I am certain over time, regardless of how well I keep it, it will continue to deteriorate over time and eventually be useless to me or to anyone else. It's not as though I'd be replacing the grip emblem, but repairing an area that was exposed to harsh conditions after the time, or treated poorly.
I am looking at it as though if I had a 1957 Chevy I took out to a cruise and someone dinged my door.. Now tell me, what car guy would leave that ding in his door? And another fact, why is it ok, and creates more value, when someone restores an original car?
I understand there is an extent with this hobby, and I would never want "fake" pieces. But, if I had a dagger that was properly put together, with correct time period pieces, what's wrong with that? I don't suppose that during the time if a general dropped his parade dagger he wouldn't get it repaired.
Just my thoughts.
-RobertComment
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Replacing an original decal (although at 20%) with a fake one (although at 100%) ???
Originals are in limited number, as production stopped in 1945.
Fakes are and will be produced with no limits but the requests of the buyers.
So IMHO it's much better an original relic than a mint refurbished helmet.
I use to restore helmets. When needed, I take out the postwar paints.
I also add the missing parts, but always use original period pieces, that match at best the conditions of the whole thing.Comment
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Something like that I would have no problem with, granted I don't expect it to be worth the same as an all original in prime condition, but I would still enjoy it, knowing it's all original parts. I just can't let something deteriorate for the sake of the title "original" if its worth saving. Over time, a VERY long time, everything will turn into a relic regardless, unless parts are replaced. Or unless you own a vacuum sealed container I suppose.Originally posted by Ironcrown View PostComment
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Just my opinion but I would never take an original shell and add a fake decal, I just can't stand that. Even worse I hate fake camo paint jobs or Red Cross etc.Comment
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Exactly, that's for SERIOUS collectors, what were you thinking!?Originally posted by Deathshead View PostComment
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Not that I would do it but, what if you removed the old decal and replace it with an original decal?Comment
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To me, if there is any tidbit of the original application I wouldn't even cover with an original. But if someone were to cover, I think it would be more accepted if done with an original. I don't think I could see any other reason to put one on. I'd leave non decal helmets as such.Originally posted by tk99 View PostComment
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Me personally, I wouldn't add even an original decal because there were quite a few helmets without decals during the war and also plenty that the men over painted- so you can't always know whether your respective helmet ever had a decal. That's why I leave well enough alone with decals. I'm not a horse trader, I don't restore a helmet to sell at a greater value and turn the profit toward another piece, I just collect and will hold till I croak
With respect to the lid coming back to market after I kick the bucket, I do keep a photo diary and a spreadsheet showing each helmet and source notes so if a restored Helmet of mine was sold in 40 years there are notes like "M40 original Wehrmacht ET66 shell, postwar Czech military and civil defense use, decals stripped, black paint added with Czech liner. 2015 stripped black color and added original period inner ring, orig inner spring, orig leather liner, orig pins, orig rivets, orig washers, orig drawstring and orig chinstrap"
I think any collector in the future would know from those details exactly the story and would make an offer corresponding to that and not for the same dollar total as an unaltered helmet. Yes I do know some purists would deride this as a "Frankenstein" creation but I am a low to mid level collector with a family and a mortgage so even though I can afford it I am not dropping $1k on a helmet. I have retirement and college funds that come first lol!
I have found it enjoyable to teach myself how to put one of these together from scratch, figuring out that you should put the liner ring in first, then fight the springs and convince them into the slots instead of fighting with the springs outside the helmet (man those springs can put up a fight especially on 62's) Also I feel closer to the history when I have all the parts spread on my workbench and I rescue a helmet from being lost to time. It's nice to be able to do that myself and not depend on a restoration service where you mail them a shell and they fill with repro parts and a phony Camo paint job.
Last bit: paint: I only paint if it has been postwar stripped and the orig paint is no longer there, and only a standard Feldgrau (1944 Militaria makes a good one) not a "Normandy" or other misleading patten). I have sat for hours carefully removing postwar crap to bring back the original color and it is so rewarding when you see it come through and you know that you saved the helmet!
I never repaint just because of dings or rust. I like a nice salty dog that's original and those I never touch.Comment
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I should add that this is a patient man's game if you restore using original parts and rebuild step by step, because when you start from scratch the parts you need in the size you need are not always readily available. And you need to study sizing, learn the manufacturers/stamps and how it all comes Together. That's also the fun part, and when you finally have a complete set and assemble and the helmet that could have ended up in the garbage or rusting in a basement comes to life before your eyes and due to your labor, it is amazing. And that it is preserved and will be enjoyed by a future collector is also gratifying.
At the moment I am waiting on a 54/55 spring for a nice no decal orig Feldgrau M42, all else is ready to go and waiting. The moment I see an original come on the market I will pounce and close another chapter lol
It is easier to just buy a damn complete liner which I have done but sometimes collecting the pieces and assembling with rivets tight and straight is also fun and challenging.
I guess that's the same reason I taught myself Suterlinschrift 20 years ago before the internet was there to help, or why I built my own koi pond in my yard instead of having some landscaper do it lolComment
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