Para Helmet

[Collectinsteve]

I just received my second M38 style BW FJ helmet. Unlike my first one, which was repainted for GSG-9/SEK use, this one has the original paint in excellent condition. The only issue I see with it is someone put a "1943" stamp in it to fake someone into thinking this was wartime issue.

It also looks like someone, at some point, used a label maker and put two black identification labels on the inside rim. One says "BW2" and another says "52". I presume these were some sort of internal inventory control tags. The seller I bought this from thought it was BGS, so I don't think it was his doing.

This one didn't come cheap, but not too bad either. It was already in the US so that saved a bunch of postage costs!





Steve

[STUG III]

Para helmet

Nice catch Steve! I have 6 or 7 of these myself, and I believe one of them has the same size and ' M 1943' as well.
Great helmet and love the calf skin liner also! Congrats
Dave.

[Collectinsteve]

Interesting to think the 1943 fraud stamp is on more than one helmet. Yes, I also noticed how soft the leather is!

Steve

[gobusik]

How gents minds about strap???
chinese copy or BW FJ in add in GSG9 helmet ???

[gobusik]

[Collectinsteve]

I'd say this isn't BW. The liner is incorrect, the liner bolts are the wrong type, and the bolts are not recessed. This looks more consistent with a repainted GSG-9 helmet with Chinese leather chin strap. Note also that the straps look brand new while the liner looks used.

Look at the underside of the leather liner. GSG-9 liners usually (always?) have a rectangular stamp with various bits of information on it.

Steve

[gobusik]

Thanks
I want ask about chin strap only, about helmet I know for 100%:
textbook GSG9 helmet with textbook GSG9 liner, repaint in grey color.
Yes, liner have stamp in back side leather.
I prepared chin strap - it have paper between leather parts, as WW2 FJ strap.
I have Chinese strap to and it helmet strap very different with Chinese and very similar with GSG9 strap for perfomance.
I thinik strap have some chance for BW or GSG.

[Collectinsteve]

Oops

Well, I think the chin strap is too new looking to be original 1950s BW. Even if it was never used there should be more signs of aging. Also, the small piece with the snap that holds the chin strap in place is the wrong design. You can see pictures of it on the previous page and other pages in this thread.

The female side of the snap should say PRYM on it, though I suppose that's being faked now too:



Steve

[gobusik]

I agree, very little chance for BW FJ, my strap without brass rivet - it first red flag in BW FJ straps

[dave peifer]

hi guys...........been reading through this thread and have a question.is there a distinct difference between the bw para and the gsg9 helmet types?..........thanks............dave

[Collectinsteve]

hi guys...........been reading through this thread and have a question.is there a distinct difference between the bw para and the gsg9 helmet types?..........thanks............dave

Yes, several.

Assuming that there are no modifications, GSG-9 helmets are green, BW is gray. The GSG-9 helmet has a plastic chin cup, BW has none. GSG-9 liner screws are flat head and not recessed, BW has special 3 holed screws that are recessed. GSG-9 liner is similar to standard US type, BW has liner with large holes similar to WW2 type.

Some of these things can be altered, but it's unlikely all of them will be. As we can see with the altered helmet above. Chin cup is gone, color is changed, but liner and helmet liner screws are still obvious.

Remember also there are a bunch of different BW helmets that were developed around the same time. There's major differences with those.

Steve

[dave peifer]

thanks steve..........that's what I wanted to know,thats a big help............dave

[Nachrichten]

Another interesting discussion thread (relevant to the identity of these helmets):

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...ad.php?t=95774

N.