Beautiful helmet, Dan! But with all honesty (and much sadness)
I really believe it's just a clever forgery. Believe me, if it turns
out to be otherwise I'll be as happy as you are. I truly want to
see more original camo SS helmets - even if they'll never be
mine.
The decal is probably the best 1st pattern repro available and an
evil omen of things to come. Ironically, I believe it is precisely
the crushed glass type that you posted later. It is layered.
The camo paint just doesn't make me a believer. It looks artificially
aged, possibly with a heat gun, and some of the scratches just
aren't convincing.
By now, the fakers have thought of over-painted party decals.
They are among us now...
I too, don't mind seeing later liners in earlier helmets - as long
as they don't look mucked with. They do affect overall final value
though.
I really hope I'm wrong, Dan. I have been before. But I wouldn't
give a thumbs down if I wasn't fairly certain. It's still a great
display piece.
There are somethings about this helmet and decal that I am weery of. Particularly the bottom and border of the decal looks a little off with one picture. I'm not sold on the picture of it in the sun either. Most of all I'm weery of the paint and wear.
With these potential problems I do like the decal from what I see. For this one I would like to have in my hands to judge. For me the jury is still out on this one.
It's my opinion, the decal is a reproduction, and this one is NOT the best one out there.
Like Brian, I wish it were better news but this one is closer associated with the second one you posted, I feel the camo is bad as well..
I asked for more pics of the liner because I wanted to see what they started with..
Thank you for all your views Gents. I do respect your views even when I don't agree with everything mentioned. Then again when it is your helmet which you have paid for your judgement can be clouded! The one thing for me which is confusing is that this helmet was with me quite a few years before I saw the "crushed glass" version appearing over here in the Uk. When I first saw the Helmet, I felt it displayed all the characteristics of what a real one should display. Also,I thought I had armed myself by knowing what the best fake out there had to offer.
Dan,
I'm afraid I have to go along with the general concensus and tell you that I believe the helmet to be a reproduction...even the runes decal. To be absolutley sure I would need to see it through a loupe and have the helmet in my hands but I am 99% sure it is bad based on what I see in the images you posted. Regarding the camo paint job, I think the comments so far reflect my initial thoughts...it looks very artificial in it's wear pattern. Sorry I couldn't be more positive for you but it is my honest opinion.
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