RSI - Para Helmet

[Paolo Marzetti]

....and this is an M.42 helmet, refurbished after WWII (note the sausage and
other particulars of the liner) that I personally picked up at the SMIPAR , during
my service there on 1976-77:these helmets were no more in use at that time but Stefano can you say is it a fake? I dont't think so.I find several resemblances with the helmet on this thread, so we can talk about refurbished helmets, an not faked helmets !

[flashider]

Paolo,
Do you think that the first helmet is similar to this one?
Look at the chinstrap....

[Paolo Marzetti]

The camo paint on the helmet on this thread, doesn't disturb me, in fact during
the RSI period the paras used several camo schemes, very different from the
German ones. This camo paint it is possible has been found under another overpaint, so IMHO we can't say it's a fake.Later I'll be able to show other photos, mainly of the time. Interesting, on the contrary the marking on the inner part of the shell, uncommon, but known on M.42s..
So,if we talk about a refurbished para helmet, I agree. If we talk of a faked
helmet, I don't, in fact the real faked M.42s are other...! PaoloM

[Paolo Marzetti]

Paolo,
Do you think that the first helmet is similar to this one?
Look at the chinstrap....

Stefano, talking about these refurbished helmets, you can't ever find an
helmet like another! At the time these were reworked, there was only one
people able to do that;he was a NCO that during WWII got the maintenance
of the damage helmets, so he was able to mount again the vent holes, to
replace the nose guards and to replace the chin-straps. It is strange to me
you talk about faked liners, that are evidently different from the post-war
ones adopted on the M.42/47s and on the M.42/60s.!I know you're suspicious
and that you don't trust in the M.42 liners with stitches all around the head
band, but, believe me, they could exist.
To end this interesting thread, I think everyone can have his own ideas,based
mainly on his experience, but we can't give up to the photographic evidence.
I repeat, I don't like the nose-guard on the helmet we're talking about, but
except this, I can't consider that a faked helmet. Just my 2 cents... PaoloM

[flashider]

The camo paint on the helmet on this thread, doesn't disturb me, in fact during
the RSI period the paras used several camo schemes, very different from the
German ones. This camo paint it is possible has been found under another overpaint, so IMHO we can't say it's a fake.Later I'll be able to show other photos, mainly of the time. Interesting, on the contrary the marking on the inner part of the shell, uncommon, but known on M.42s..
So,if we talk about a refurbished para helmet, I agree. If we talk of a faked
helmet, I don't, in fact the real faked M.42s are other...! PaoloM

Paolo,
So you don't think that this one is a fake?
Could you please show us better pictures of an original liner with some close-ups?


If we discuss about the shell...It's original...but repainted.The camo paint job is fake...not an original post war camo.
About the sausage...probably it's an original post-war made....but I don't like the chinstrap and the leather liner.
The gummy isn't correct for this type of helmets.Also the rivets aren't correct for the WWII period.

[flashider]

Stefano, talking about these refurbished helmets, you can't ever find an
helmet like another! At the time these were reworked, there was only one
people able to do that;he was a NCO that during WWII got the maintenance
of the damage helmets, so he was able to mount again the vent holes, to
replace the nose guards and to replace the chin-straps. It is strange to me
you talk about faked liners, that are evidently different from the post-war
ones adopted on the M.42/47s and on the M.42/60s.!I know you're suspicious
and that you don't trust in the M.42 liners with stitches all around the head
band, but, believe me, they could exist.
To end this interesting thread, I think everyone can have his own ideas,based
mainly on his experience, but we can't give up to the photographic evidence.
I repeat, I don't like the nose-guard on the helmet we're talking about, but
except this, I can't consider that a faked helmet. Just my 2 cents... PaoloM

Probably you have reason about the refurbished helmets...
Fortunately was made after the war...So I can have a wrong opinion...But they aren't helmets to collect

[Paolo Marzetti]

I don't think that's a fake, only reworked.
Here below the first photo I have on hand about an original WWII liner:

[Paolo Marzetti]

And now Stefano a couple of questions for you:
-what do you think about the vent holes on this M.41 in a photo of the time?
-and why, according probably to some rules that I forgot or I don't know the
camo paint job on the helmet of the thead maybe considered a fake?
Thanks, PaoloM

[flashider]

And now Stefano a couple of questions for you:
-what do you think about the vent holes on this M.41 in a photo of the time?
-and why, according probably some rules that I forgot or I don't know the
camo paint job on the helmet of the thead maybe considered a fake?
Thanks, PaoloM

1) Usually I don't judge helmets from archives photos or black and white images.Why you show always photos of your archive?
Generally about the vent holes....you know that 99,9% of original WWII helmets have the correct rivets.If you are interested to collect the strange 0,1%...Do it!!

2) The camo paint is artificially aged...Don't ask me why....I don't speak well english to explain....Ask to the American or English german camo collectors

[Luca Ongaro]

1) Usually I don't judge helmets from archives photos or black and white images.Why you show always photos of your archive?
Generally about the vent holes....you know that 99,9% of original WWII helmets have the correct rivets.If you are interested to collect the strange 0,1%...Do it!!

2) The camo paint is artificially aged...Don't ask me why....I don't speak well english to explain....Ask to the American or English german camo collectors

1) Personally I follow with interest Marzetti’s opinions because has really a big knowledge on RSI helmets, specially FJ.
Mr Marzetti, thanks to share those photos from your archive and explain your point of view, is always appreciate from me and many others to learn more.
The M42 from West Point Military Museum and the M41 of the last photo posted have the same rivets, look at those, I would say more than 0,1%.

2) Maybe any faker you know who speak english can explain why that paint is fake and with all respect due to American or English collectors, this is an Italian helm, and you know that Italian paint was totally different from the german one.

Luca

[Raffaello Carola]

Hello,

nice discussion! sorry but IMO the sausage protection is postwar and the general condition
of camouflage paint don't like me for an real combat helmet give me an very bad sensation..
there are the photos of my para helmet refurbished after the war by Carabinieri para in the
years 60' the helmet is original wartime liner/sausage/rubber pads are WWII unfortunately
repainted postwar in first time with kakhi and after in green with the Carabinieri stencil.
I have found personally this helmet.
cheers, Raffaello

[flashider]

WOW Raffaello!!! Well done!
From the photo I like it! It's a postwar reissued, but is wonderfull!!

[Raffaello Carola]

note the star rubber protection eliminated (more soldiers eliminate this
rubber protection because have size problem)

[Raffaello Carola]

the sausage sistem (note the postwar khaki paint inside years 50')

[Raffaello Carola]

note the tongue rubber WWII