should or shouldn't I?....

[lexiconmori]

hi,


I might have an option to buy a former SS-helmet, well so says the owner, I have seen the helmet but it has been sprayed over with car-metalic(inner and outside) spray paint, the liner and chinstrap are ok but even these have some specks of silver paint on it
so what should I do? the helmet looks terrible with this paint on it and it's a bloody thick layer as well (couldn't even scratch it), I could do my utter best to clean it but I am affraid the helmet and decals will be damaged beyond belief due to this.
the owner claims it is a double decalled SS-helmet and also has a skull in the front of the helmet (I have only seen some pictures of this of a some infantry with handdrawn skulls on the front of the helmet, but furthermore I have no idea).
I have the feeling this is one big risk if I buy the helmet.
what do you guys think?
please let me know, should or shouldn't I?
thanks,



Alco

[WalterB]

Sounds like a loser to me. You will never be able to remove the miserable spray paint and you will always be mad about it when you look at it. Besides, what guarantees are there that it actually was an SS DD? Why was it painted over in the first place? This sounds very suspicious to me. Leave it alone, do not waste your money on that crap. Building a collection takes time; buy quality, not quantity.

[Ty Smith]

I would buy it if it is really really cheap. You might get lucky and get the crappy paint off. Like Walter said, the fact that it is painted over is a good indicator that it isn't right. I would bet it isn't a double decal.
Although I don't do it, you could always pull out the liner and chinstrap if they are originial. Otherwise I agree with Walter I wouldn't waste my time or money.
For me it would have to be really cheap, orginial liner & chinstraps and less than $100. I usually don't buy things like this.

Just my thoughts - Ty

[WalterB]

I agree with you Ty, good points.

[Perry Floyd]

If I thought it was possible to be after looking at it, and I could get it real, real cheap I would might do it. Now when I mean cheap I'm talking the $45 area...

[lexiconmori]

thank you generous hosts for your splendid and welcome advice. I'll keep it in mind, if I do get the helmet for cheap, really cheap I will let you people know and post some pics, from there on we could try with the help of this forum to get that hellish layer of silver paint removed
thanks! ,


Alco


some people earn severe punishment for mistreating helmets like this