Chinstrap : opinion needed, please !

[Edelweiss]

I have a VERY bad feeling about this chinstrap...
Moreover, it's on a LW SD M.40 helmet ; will you confirm ???

Danke,

[Edelweiss]

2.

[Edelweiss]

3.

[Edelweiss]

And 4.

[Rich G]

In my limited experience of chin straps, I would also be worried about this one. The stitching on the buckle end just doesn't look right (but I can't pinpoint just why) and the way the impressed border runs all the way through the end seems wrong as well.

Rich

[william r match]

Chris,

I agree with Rich. Leather & stitching look suspect as does a number of issues about the buckle.

Billy

[darryl-P]

Well...I was going to say that the chinstrap looked fine to me. It's an early one with the impressed borders which go straight on past the curved end...which is also fine. Anyone else have an opinion?

[Edelweiss]

Darryl, your opinion is welcome ! I was about to say that it would be VERY disappointing, as that this helmet comes from a well-known and very reputable dealer...

I can add the helmet is a Q, and that the chinstrap end is marked "...HNEN" (impossible to see more).

[Perry Floyd]

This chinstrap is 100% correct...

[Luftm40]

I agree...what are all of the "issues" w/ the buckle, leather and stitching?

[Edelweiss]

I learned a bit more, once again, today... Thanks to you all. I have to say that the "chinstraps" subject is too often (always ?) forgotten in reference books.
And well, I never encountered this kind of "early" chinstrap before... Now, it's done.

Here's the lid :

[SgtB]

I too, cannot find anything wrong with this chinstrap - I really
like the grooved ones. They are,well, groovy.

But I must admit the proliferation of all of the damn good fakes
that are flooding the market is making us all jumpy.

Plus there are so many original variants. It's not going to get
any easier.

[Bill V]

chinstrap

Edel: i like it, looks good maybe a little wide like a luftshutze style or maybe its the picture. BillV

[william r match]

Chris,

If Darryl, Perry and Brian are in favour I accede to their collective wisdom. I have attached a few snaps of why your chin strap caused me concern as I was comparing it to ones that I have at present.

The stitching on your piece goes at right angles nearest the buckle as opposed to the one I posted. Also leather is much lighter than anything that I have or have had.

This may be explained by my chin strap being an earlier example on an M35 as opposed to an M40. Also all of the helmets that have passed through my hands have had a light/extensive degree of wear which discolours the middle part of the strap from the rest. Again I prefer helmets with some degree of wear, minty but not mint.

The buckle pin on yours also has little clearance were it is attached to the buckle frame. Again probably a trait on a later example.

I agree with Brian that chin straps in such a fresh condition give rise for concern amongst us sceptical collectors.

Glad it is a good one Chris, look forward to seeing a few similar to yours posted and hopefully a few other variations which will help us all in our endeavours.

regards,

Billy

[william r match]

. This snap highlights the difference in colour between the end of the strap and the middle part that has been subjected to contact.