M35 re-issue or camo?

[Infanteer]

I am looking at trading for this helmet. The liner band is aluminum and dated 1939. Would this helmet be considered a re-issue or a camo? Note the thick, textured paint.

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-...K-m35right.jpg
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-...TM-m35left.jpg
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-...35interior.jpg

Cheers,

Steve

[Perry Floyd]

I view it as a camo, any trace/outline of decals?

[Infanteer]

I view it as a camo, any trace/outline of decals?

No, the paint is much to thick for anything to show through. I imagine there is something under the paint but we will never know...
If I was to consider this a camo helmet, would the value be considered more than a factory painted helmet?

[Ty Smith]

I'd call that a camo too. Looks as if it was done in the field with thick brush strokes verse a repaint at a depot. The fact that it still has it's first issue liner makes me believe it was not reissued either. Looks like a nice helmet.

[Infanteer]

Just to be clear, for a helmet to be considered a re-issue it should be factory painted?

[Ty Smith]

Most people consider a "reissued helmet" one that was sent back and stripped, repainted and got a new liner. Although some helmets were redone in the field and in supply depots, new liners, fixed, repainted etc. Just a matter of terms. Your helmet I think was painted in the field and was likely done for camo purposes.

[Luftm40]

I would say "camo" too...and it does look like a pretty nice helmet. To me, a true reissue is one that was refurbished at a depot or factory. W/ the m35s, you sometimes see them w the original liner, but with the shield decal finished over, sometimes w/ a new, later vintage liner and either one decal added over the new finish or no decal at all. Many true factory/depot refinishes have certain color and texture...its very distinctive after you have seen a few. Yours looks field applied, which actually makes it a more valuable helmet. Here is an M35 that was redone at a depot, but the original liner was kept. The shield decal was covered over, but is peeking out through the wear marks. This one has the distinctive finish I mentioned

[Infanteer]

Thanks for the replies guys
Andy, that is a fantastic looking helmet and exactly the type of thing I hope to be able to pick up one of these days.

Cheers,

Steve