Smokecity, nice helmet and very interesting pictures. I would store your helmet in a dry place that has a somewhat even temperature year round (don't store it in your attic or garage). Of course, keep it away from direct contact with any sunlight / air conditioning / heating vent. Paratrooper helmets are very valuable and I would encourage you not to mess with it anymore. Please do not disassemble the liner to clean it or anything else (if you do, that would negatively affect the value significantly; perhaps reduce the value by 50% or more). The active rust has been addressed and that is all that needs to be done. Store it on a shelf and don't use a mannequin head or any helmet stand that puts additional stress on the liner's leather. Last thing, you should write down as much as you know about your father's service and his stories. In particular, write down as much as you know about the helmet and keep such documentation with the helmet. A helmet with some legitimate provenance as this makes it more unique than others that have none.
Last piece of advice (and I know this runs counter to my collecting interests): $3000 to $4000 is a lot of money, but the helmet is (or should be) part of your dad's service and your family's history. I would not sell it unless I really, really had to. You may regret it when some years down the road the $3000/$4000 does not seem that much anymore.
The pictures are very interesting, please also preserve them.
Last piece of advice (and I know this runs counter to my collecting interests): $3000 to $4000 is a lot of money, but the helmet is (or should be) part of your dad's service and your family's history. I would not sell it unless I really, really had to. You may regret it when some years down the road the $3000/$4000 does not seem that much anymore.
The pictures are very interesting, please also preserve them.
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