M-40 SS Opinions Please

[Perry Floyd]

Is the mint first pattern yours as well Ty?

[Ty Smith]

I wish,

[Perry Floyd]

Really not enough to change my opinion Ty, sorry...
I also must say I suspect the mint one you are comparing it to..

[Ty Smith]

I figured the pictures wouldn't be decisive.
Jury is still out on this one.

[darryl-P]

Ty,
Sometimes it is hard to be decisive on these decals. The repros are getting so accurate that images alone are not enough...an in-hand inspection is also required. All we can really do at this forum is weed out the "obvious" fakes.

Regarding the mint decal you're comparing it to...I tend to like it. It is a variant first pattern. However, it is not the same style as the one you want an opinion on.

Cheers,

[Luftm40]

Is the mint decal on a Q marked shell by any chance?

[darryl-P]

Andy,
You are astute. I'm assuming it is as well. Ty?

[Ty Smith]

You guys are good, it is on a mint Q. I don't have the helmet and doubt I ever will.
I knew it was a different style but couldn't find any others to post. The black border is thicker for one.

[Luftm40]

I would say it is 100% real then

[darryl-P]

Ditto!

[Perry Floyd]

What would make it real being on a Quist shell?

[Perry Floyd]

no answer?

[darryl-P]

From my experience I have only ever seen this variant of the first pattern runes decal on a Q shell. Some collectors don't subscribe to the theory that shell makers had contracts with decal makers and hence tend to see more of one style on one particular helmet shell. However, there is some very strong empirical evidence that this is indeed the case. As far as hard "written in stone" documentation goes, I don't know of anything specific or even if anything like that survived. It is just a theory but it tends to hold water in most cases. The only time it doesn't is in the case of helmets that were re-vamped and re-issued.

[Perry Floyd]

No, I guess I'm one that doesn't believe certain shell makers had certain decal makers supplying them exclusively.
I've seen differing variations of SS decals on "Q" made helmets. Other makers as well. I believe in no Q SS decal or a ET SS decal and so on. Known originals have shown this to be correct.
I'll have to comend those that have tried to make a link. Things true collectors do...

[Edelweiss]

Please tell us how the story ends...