Fake M40 half basket camo chicken wire

[Fred S]

This was a Bay auction

http://cgi.ebay.fr/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?...m=200152779237

The seller was living in the town where I'm working so...
Looking at the blurry pics and the seller activity (nothing to do with WW2 items) and his approximative description, I wanted to take the chance, a few things I liked looking at the pics, a few other I didn't...

The type of wire looked legit (3 torsos, maybe galvanised), a little rust but not too much, some scratches, etc..... So I won the bid.

I met him this afternoon: while I opened the package I quickly closed my eyes before having the helm in hand: first the wieght of a shell wasn't there.

Then I had a look at the wire: no interaction between the wire and the paint.
The wooden chips camo paint? Looked interesting at first glance, no smell or new paint but this helmet didn't smell old as well!
The chips were there as well, but the camo colour, even with a kinda patina couldn't been done more than 60 years ago.

A fake for sure, but the reason why I opened this thread is that the type of chicken wire was one of those you could find in 40's in Europe, with good signs of aging it would have been able to fool me (of course the weight of the shell wouldn't have!)

I gave him back his helm, the seller was a bit obsessed but I told him no way, it'll be back on the Bay soon...

[Fred S]

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[Paul G]

Looks like a legit shell. Thats about all thats WW2 era. It may be a bit lighter due to some of it rusting away. You did good by passing on this one. WW2 era chicken wire, although tough to find, is still available for sale. Notice the paint over the heavy rust pits on the interior, thats a bad sign always! I am surprised the seller met you in person, with that helmet.

PG-

[Fred S]

Hi Paul,
yes It looked legit, that's why I took the risk.
Bust the shell was lighter than a 64 and looked like a 66.
About the inside rusty pits: you're right than in most case it's an alarm, unless the helmet stayed during a long time on cement, things that can happen.
As you pointed out he the inside shell was painted, obvious when I had it in hand, could just see the "72" marking that was supposed to be the batch number.

When I contact the seller I've asked where the helmet was coming from: area of Beziers (south of France, 30 kms from the mediterrean sea): this configuration of camo was possible there.

The seller claimed he didn't know nothing about german helmets, and I believe him. He said that it didn't know why it had 5 holes, for example.