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**C. Roelens** · 02-11-2009, 07:54 PM

Hello Wilhelm,

I'm with you... that sure is a healthy piece of leather for being 91 years old. It might be the photo, but, to me the buckle on the left as you're looking at the picture looks like it might be ground dug. IMO it's a newer piece of leather added to original hardware, then aged somewhat. Definately not original to this helmet.

I have no problem with the red. I don't like the bright yellow panel on the left, nor the wear to the front.

I'd like to hear other opinions on the camo now that it's up for discussion.

Chuck

**PlaceOfBayonets** · 02-11-2009, 08:11 PM

As you can see the chin strap seems to have been recently used as if by a re enactor. The Darkening where the strap has had an adjustment made, left in place and then moved again to darken in another part of the strap. I don't think you'd see this on originals. There is some aged looking cracking to the leather but this is is nothing that is not found on 10 to 20 year old leather.

I know you don't like yellow on helmets but I think it's good. The Germans used just about every color you can think of even if not the best choice for military applications such as the Red you see.

W.

**C. Roelens** · 02-11-2009, 09:16 PM

Yellow paint doesn't really bother me, but, that bright yellow panel does. The other yellow panels are age darkened and look good. If that panel was painted red it would have fit the overall paint scheme perfectly. The Germans were pretty consistent, unlike many post war painted American camo helmets. Might be good as you say.....

Chuck

**PlaceOfBayonets** · 02-11-2009, 10:58 PM

Very ODD now that you draw my attention to that! Could be a result of a cleaning or worse... A panel was cleaned? Or an abomination gasp!!! Someone tried top touch it up!!!???

Wilhelm

**C. Roelens** · 02-12-2009, 10:57 PM

Originally posted by PlaceOfBayonets View Post

Very ODD now that you draw my attention to that! Could be a result of a cleaning or worse... A panel was cleaned? Or an abomination gasp!!! Someone tried top touch it up!!!???

Wilhelm

Definitely not cleaned. There's no way you could clean the other yellow panels and get that result.

**ROBB** · 02-13-2009, 02:34 AM

The chinstrap looks like a reproduction the helmet looks nice thought ,rob

**PlaceOfBayonets** · 02-13-2009, 12:36 PM

Originally posted by Charles A. Roel View Post

Definitely not cleaned. There's no way you could clean the other yellow panels and get that result.

I agree it's a long shot. There has to be an explanation for the brighter yellow panel. I don't think the paint on it is bad.

W.

**Mike39** · 02-13-2009, 07:47 PM

Hi guy's & thanks for all of your comments.
The photo's really aren't doing the helmet justice & it's quite difficult to capture the colors as they present in hand, one on the disadvantages of selling by photo's. The yellow on the helmet has much age patina & has quite a grubby look about it & certainly has not been cleaned. On one hand I've tried to photograph the helmet in bright conditions so as to highlight the texture in the camo but, by doing so this makes the colors appear brighter than they are, in particular the yellow.

The chin strap is a very old strap. It's both dry & cracked & has staining from the fittings which is typical to known originals in similar condition. But, the leather does appear thicker than normal & because of this I would have to agree that it's not a factory produced item. The fittings are original & appear to have the same age & patina as the attachments on the helmet. It is therefore possible that the strap could be a field made replacement & it certainly doesn't look out of place on the helmet.

Once again, thanks for your comments.

Mike

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