I've looked at this helmet long enough, now it's time to have a discussion. I am referring to the M16 Camo listed on the eStand by member Francisque. I've asked Don to link it to this thread.
Chuck
Chuck
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2 things I'm noticing here. First is the green paint for the camo, I dont think I've seen that type of bluish greenish color before. Second, the same bluish green color is super clean on the inside, from the rim to the line band. Then from the band to the crown is super rusty, what's that about?Comment
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Yes, those are the two biggest, and quite obvious, red flags. There is no doubt in my mind whatsoever that the inside rim area is a post war repaint. The dome area is a rust bucket. Some of that post war green repaint on the inside rim was also used to touch up the outside camo. There might be some original camo paint there, but it is clearly not an untouched helmet. A few of the liner pad fingers have been repaired. From what I can see at least one of the liner pins has been rebent and has a perfectly flat tip on the prong same as reproductions do. This is my starting point...
Anybody else beside Rob think it's an all original "untouched" helmet?
ChuckComment
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The interior neck guard/visor area has definitely been repainted post war. The exterior green camo looks just as odd and seems to be filling up old pitting. The brown camo areas look like they might be okay. The liner pins are the type unique to Bell L helmets and are original; they've been removed and reinserted. Certainly not an untouched original WW1 helmet in my opinion.Comment
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"Anybody else beside Rob think it's an all original "untouched" helmet?"
I said
"Looks good to me"
Please don't misquote me.
RobGod please take justin bieber and gave us dio backComment
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looks like the original apple green is peaking through the camo.Comment
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Sorry Rob, be a little more specific. When someone says, "It looks good to me", means you are telling the seller it's as he describes. If you think "It looks good" so be it.
I do not!
ChuckComment
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Sometimes a first look appears to be A-OK, then a second look results in a "eh, I don't think so anymore." Been guilty of it myself.Originally posted by C. Roelens View PostSorry Rob, be a little more specific. When someone says, "It looks good to me", means you are telling the seller it's as he describes. If you think "It looks good" so be it. I do not!
ChuckComment
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Yes but I did not say “it's an all original "untouched" helmet?"
However I still think the camo is real, not sure about the inside paint or the stuff on the front now I have had a proper look . So it could be an original touched helmet. RobGod please take justin bieber and gave us dio backComment
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Chuck, I just want to clarify something about the pins. I'm still trying to figure out Bell L liner pins. When viewed on the exterior they're easy to spot. The front pins almost always have very rounded, thicker than normal heads, and the rear pin (also almost always) dimples inward and has a slight conical taper to it that I've never seen with other makers. On this helmet, the front left liner pin was originally the rear pin and the front right pin is likely original to the helmet as well. The rear liner pin in this case is a replacement, also possibly original.Originally posted by C. Roelens View Post
It's the ends of the prongs that are not consistent. These seem to have the ends clipped flat, but the versions I've usually seen have rounded ends or partially rounded corners that have been also clipped flat.Comment
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Could be Hans, it's hard to tell without better pictures of them. I also believe all three of the liner pin heads have been touched up with that funky green paint (right front for sure), and then improperly reinstalled as you mentioned.
ChuckComment
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You've got me digging out some Bell-L's now. I completely forgot about those flat ended prongs on these helmets...Comment
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the following pictures are a little blurry, but I think you can see what I'm getting at...Comment
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