Real or faked???

[Gerd W.]

Hello all!

I surved via Dealers websides and found on H. Weitze new update a camo para M38.
The dealer called it Italy-camo and say it´s an all over original helmet. Can this be true? Think I´m a little bit paranoid on FJ-items, but I think this pott is a good stuff for discuss about.

Perhaps some FJ-specialists out there can tell me their opinions!

Link to the webside

Have a nice weekend!

Gerd

[Jim McCauley]

Hello Gerd,

In my opinion a bad helmet. The decal was the first thing that jumped out at me.

Best regards.

Jim

[John Hodgin]

The paint scheme is one that was actually used and the colors look correct. However, it's not possible to tell from the small photo if this paint is good or bad. If the paint is authentic, the decal has been uncovered, not a good practice. If you can obtain larger photos please post them.

Regards,
John

[Peter_Suciu]

I saved the image of the liner, blew it way up in Photoshop and I think I can make out that it is an ET71. Can't see whether it has the dreaded "footed one" or not, but it certainly looks like a 71 at the very least.

Wish I had more to add.

[Gerd W.]

Hello!

Sorry, larger photos are not possible, because the Link goes directly to the sellers webside (www.weitze.net)!
Perhaps the description is interesting (translation in short form):

"Single decal FJ-helmet, M 38, Italien 1943/44. lightgreen camoversion with dark green spots outside, inside original darkgreen color. Color about 80 % , eagle about 90% intact. Helmet shell marked with "ET 68". Helmet shows use and is in an overall good condition. Very rare! Price: 2900 Euro! "

If the description is true, the shell is no 71!

Regards

[Willi Z.]

Certainly a bargain price if it is all correct.

And, I agree that the camo "may" be ok....certainly the decal offers many "concerns", which then makes the paint suspicious. The straps loook oiled and can not tell about the liner for sure. But, it doesn't have that look of a liner that has been in that shell for the last 60 years. The camo, the camp wear patterns, the rust/patina, etc all need to be looked at closely....photos only offer enough to get one into trouble.

Willi

[Peter_Suciu]

I'm still looking at the photos in Photoshop and other programs. Maybe I was trying to see ET71 but it is really hard to see anything that looks like 68. I'd love a close look! With my suspecting nature I'd want to see larger photos of everything at the very least.

[Willi Z.]

Hi Peter,

Not all bad camos are size 71s......not saying this one is bad, but there are alot of helmets that are all original, though parts have been messed with, with bad camo jobs applied over the years. In the years before the fake Czech 71s, there were plenty of messed with FJ helmets too. Don't just focus on the size......... the key is to know what the good stuff should look like....

Willi

[Peter_Suciu]

Oh I know there are plenty of good ET71...I even have one!

I was trying to see if it had a footed 1, which I didn't see.