FJR6 M38 Camo Helmet

[WalterB]

Our friend Anand (eubank) asked that I post the following pictures of his latest acquisition. As I think you will agree, it is a great addition. I will let Anand discuss it further:

[WalterB]

More pictures:

[WalterB]

Last set if pictures:

[eubank]

Many thanks for very kindly posting these pictures Walter.
It is an ET71, lot 4888, very well worn and so you wonder if it saw service well after Normandy (and presumably well before too if the lot number and yellow pads can tell us anything ?)...perhaps into Holland?

It is named to a Baumgartner of the 11th company, as written on the leather liner (and he has also inscribed his name into the metal near to the lot number in somewhat square/boxy lettering ...but you have to hold the helmet in the right light to see that and i spotted it by chance)

Our friend Herle kindly informed me that there was indeed a ( Gefreiter) Baumgartner in 11th company , who was wounded on the 11th June 44....that was a day that saw heavy fighting with US paras, and the 6th withdrew from Carentan at that time.

The helmet to me, with its cut straps and damaged leather liner looks more like a KIA helmet...so not sure what eventually happened to Baumgartner , or what or when he met his fate after the 11th June.

Interesting to me that it is fitted with the yellow shock pads - these don't seem to fare well over time and seem to shrink far more than the later black pads.

[helmhunter]

Hi Arnaud,

You've got a very nice M38, tis FjR6 camo is my favourite.

Phil.

[Mikey]

Great piece, love it!

[Shaun Winkler]

Great FJ regiment 6 camo, I handled this helmet at the Max show.

[SMP]

Hi Anand , what is this that I have highlighted ?

[WalterB]

Hi Anand , what is this that I have highlighted ?

A hook! To secure a net, would be my guess.

[Sergey K.]

I like it, old combat guy

[Willi Z.]

A hook! To secure a net, would be my guess.

Indeed. Might be a "S" hook.

[Willi Z.]

Nice helmet Anand!

[SMP]

Indeed. Might be a "S" hook.

That's what I thought - it would help tell another story in the life of this combat veteran.

[eubank]

Great FJ regiment 6 camo, I handled this helmet at the Max show.

Cheers Shaun, my photos don't do it justice, it is very interesting "in hand", full of character and history and has clearly witnessed some of the hardest days of the 6th !

[eubank]

That's what I thought - it would help tell another story in the life of this combat veteran.

Hi Steve, yes I agree with Walter and Willi , looks like it must be a leftover hook for a net. It is attached into the white stitching between the aluminium liner band and its leather and then doubles over on itself....yes, another "feature" of the helmet hinting towards its battlefield use...