M18 helmet opinions

[Frank Nick]

Hello all,

I've been enjoying reading the recent M18 posts. I collect mainly WWII articles but I wanted to add a few WWI pieces to my collection. I'd be interested in any comments for this helmet. Here is a list of what I know of its recent history.

- One previous owner painted the helmet gold.
- Next owner stripped the gold paint and tried to complete the camo.
- I removed the remaining gold (in crevices, etc.) and the added camo paint.

This is what remains. To me the green paint looks like original camo. The dull gray looks comparable to the recent original photos that I've seen here. Any help is appreciated. Thanks in advance. 5 photos will follow.

Regards,
Frank

[Frank Nick]

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[Frank Nick]

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[Frank Nick]

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[Frank Nick]

#5

[C. Roelens]

Frank,

The outside paint would have originally been the same dark green color as you see on the inside of the shell. IMO, the remaining paint is original, however; has changed to a lighter shade due to the cleaning and stripping of repaint's. I'm not so sure of the green camo...

Chuck

[luftwaffenkopf]

looks like a TJ66. the camo is on the outside (not under the lighter green paint) and has mostly been stripped. i think the outside green paint took on a lighter shade due to the stripping. an honest original lid

[bwilder2]

I'm not sure about it. From the frontal view, you can see a really thin layer of grey/green paint remaining. Honestly, it almost looks like it was spray painted (post war) with that color and painted over several times. Also, look around the rim. The front shows the typical wear and patina, but as you spin the helmet around, the thin layer of grey/green is more intact on the sides and back. But, like Chuck said, maybe it's original paint that was effected by cleaning it...possibly smearing the original paint???

[C. Roelens]

I'm not sure about it. From the frontal view, you can see a really thin layer of grey/green paint remaining. Honestly, it almost looks like it was spray painted (post war) with that color and painted over several times. Also, look around the rim. The front shows the typical wear and patina, but as you spin the helmet around, the thin layer of grey/green is more intact on the sides and back. But, like Chuck said, maybe it's original paint that was effected by cleaning it...possibly smearing the original paint???

Looking at the front closer I think you're right. there is at least three layers of grey/green paint before you get to the base of the shell. The original paint was probably sanded down for its first repaint.

Chuck

[Frank Nick]

Thanks to everyone for their comments. I was hoping that I may have some original paint on this helmet but I also had doubts. At some point this helmet had 2 nasty dents on the front. Someone hammered them out from the inside. I don't know if the photos show that clearly. Would this have any effect on how the paint appears on the front? In any case I'll leave the helmet as is. I don't think further stripping will improve it and I wouldn't care to repaint. I'd rather have it as close to original as possible.



Regards,
Frank