Any thoughts on this shell??

[Chris Chalupa]

Is this thing for real or what? I know the pics aren't the best detail but got me to wondering.... Chris


http://www.germanparahelmet.com/beforeafter2.htm

[Eric Queen]

Is this thing for real or what? I know the pics aren't the best detail but got me to wondering.... Chris


http://www.germanparahelmet.com/beforeafter2.htm

Chris,

Just my opinion, but the M38 shell looks good to me (based on these pics).
The liner/straps are of course crap. Not sure why anyone would want to put this garbage in an original shell.

Eric

[Adrian Stevenson]

Hi Eric, Is a size 73 legit I have heard of them before, but only as hearsay, never with a pic.

Cheers, Ade.

[Chris Chalupa]

I thought the shell looked right, but a size 73? Last I had heard the size 71 was the biggest. Has anyone seen an original size 73? Man I would pick up a shell that size in almost any condition.

[John Hodgin]

Size 73

I agree with Eric, the shell looks genuine.

As for the size, has anyone SEEN a photo with the numerals 73 stamped in this shell?????????? IMHO it is simply a typo.....

John

[Willi Z.]

I only see the repro liner being stamped with a 73. Is it on the shell too?

Willi

[Chris Chalupa]

I emailed the owner of the site who makes the liners and he said that it was "a standard ET73 with a four number code stamped in the back". He said that he doesn't own the shell and therefore doesn't have the ability to take a picture of the maker mark. He claims to have seen ET74?? I was always under the assumption that the helmet sizing always went up in increments of 2, although the helmet jump from 68 to 71 is interesting. How small of jump helmets have people seen? I have heard of people seeing a size 64 but man, what size head would that fit? A 52-56?

[MartyC]

size

There are size 62 shells as well and I have seen size 54 caps. Small heads from a lack of nutrition during the depression has always been my understanding.

Marty

[Chris Chalupa]

Size 62 fj helmet or just a standard wh helmet? In the standard helmets they go down to size 60 which is really tiny. I have a WWI helmet in size 60, the studs for the stirnpanzer look like antlers.

[Willi Z.]

Let's not mix Heer helmets with FJ helmets. I too have heard about 73s and 74.....but, only from the two who are associated with that web site. I would need to see some proof...as in photos. There is no information in print that supports FJ helmets being in any other sizes than 66, 68 and 71. If I just add up the FJ helmets (untouched ones at that, not just shells) that a few fellow collectors, dealers and myself have seen over the years, and it would easily run into the 1000's. Have never seen one to date. But, perhaps we will. A size 71 shell takes a liner size up to 61. Will keep my mind open to a larger size, but need to see it to believe it.

Willi

[TSkagen]

ET 64 ...two of them here

Hi Guys,

I received pictures yesterday of two partially restored FJ helmet shells.from Riga...what are they?

[TSkagen]

Her are som more pics