slotted bolts on africa helmet

[M35]

FJ bolts

Very good observations, thanks to all for the opinions.

Walter, you have indeed done a fine job of presenting your ideas. The one thing I might add to your 2nd point is that I do not normally trust any ckl marked M38 that has a decal. I believe by the time they changed the ET mark to ckl they were manufacturing M38's without decals.

The exception to that, in my view, are the M38's with blue/green eagle decals. These are usually found on ckl marked shells, most likely because they were field applied.......the very few that are legitimate WWII vintage, at any rate. But that is another subject for discussion altogether.

One other thing that has always bothered me. Why aluminum bolts in the first place? I know the practicality of not rusting, but they stick out like a sore thumb and shine like a light in the sun. Not in keeping with the matte finish of the helmet itself. Why not at least paint them to match?? I actually have one helmet where they did just that.

Cheers,
Terry

[Luftm40]

Guess I always thought the bolt material (steel vs aluminum) had to do w/ the material of the liner band. In other words, steel bolts were OK in conjunction w/ the earlier alum liner bands, but caused excessive wear or corrosion when combined w/ the later zinc clad steel bands. Hence the switch to aluminum bolts. By the end of the war, all bets were off and they used whatever material was available (steel).....

[John Hodgin]

Guess I always thought the bolt material (steel vs aluminum) had to do w/ the material of the liner band. In other words, steel bolts were OK in conjunction w/ the earlier alum liner bands, but caused excessive wear or corrosion when combined w/ the later zinc clad steel bands. Hence the switch to aluminum bolts. By the end of the war, all bets were off and they used whatever material was available (steel).....

I believe aluminum was chosen for it's properties, but an entirely different reason than it does not rust.

Steve, what are your thoughts on the helmet?

John

[SMP]

ISteve, what are your thoughts on the helmet?

John

John,
As I understand it everybody likes the helmet ( including the bolts ). The issue is that some don't believe it could have been captured at the time and place stated on the top, because they think slotted bolts weren't in use at that time. Well I have no idea if that is true, because I don't know when that type of bolts came into use. It is entirely possible they are not the bolts the helmet left the factory with anyway. Bolts, liners and straps were routinely replaced on combat used helmets, so maybe the bolts were newly replaced before capture.
Lastly, it doesn't actually say "this helmet was captured at Ferryville". Maybe the time and place had an entirely different meaning for the person who painted the helmet ?
I really don't have an opinion either way. It is clear the helmet and bolts have had a heavy coating of lacquer at some stage. It would be nice to trace the collector history of the helmet. I understand some people recognise it.

Regards,
Steve

[Willi Z.]

Btw, I would really have to have a close look at the lettering on the top.

In other words; I have concerns with the lettering on top.

[SMP]

In other words; I have concerns with the lettering on top.

Gut feeling ?