Brand new vs battle worn?

[gadaru_kanaru]

I like both equally. Does that make me bicollectual?

[Tora_Tora_Tora!]

Battle worn forever!!

[Fred S]

Battle worn, definitely.

[kuroda]

I also much more prefer a been there look to an unissued .
I like liners that have sweat marks and a nice patina to the piece.
I go for battle look 100%

[SQUEAK!]

Battle worn! A bit of salt always goes well with a helmet....

[Andy C.]

Peters is right i think, but scense i like camos it has to be a been there done that helmet, (man if this baby could only talk) kind of lid!!

[dragnet]

Battle worn examples.

[taikonaut]

I also much more prefer a been there look to an unissued .
I like liners that have sweat marks and a nice patina to the piece.
I go for battle look 100%

A bit off topic, I have an ATS officer tunic equivelent to a modern size 6-8 the armpit has a strong lady scent. I cant believe that came from 60+ years ago or is it possible? Either way its been worn in active service by a lady who sweated for king and country

[SNOOPY]

Ahhhh....

A bit off topic, I have an ATS officer tunic equivelent to a modern size 6-8 the armpit has a strong lady scent. I cant believe that came from 60+ years ago or is it possible? Either way its been worn in active service by a lady who sweated for king and country

60+ years of funk? I believe it. You should have smelled my ex girlfriends
work out cloths. I'd hate to be the archeologist who would dig that up.

[relichelmet]

Combat worn all the way. If only those helmets could talk.

Best Regards Thorsteinn.

[MikeP]

Most "battle effects" come from the fact that the war was over 65 years ago.

Kids and age take a toll on them.

In the 50s and even 60s they were pretty commonly used and abused by us young'ns.
Most of the ones you saw at shows back then were in pretty good shape.

I always crack up at the "been there" aspect.

Other than a kill trophy, Ithink most GIs would look for the best example in the pile to pick up.

Everybody has a preference.

I have noticed that the leather on most helmets is ageing pretty fast now, and there's not much to be done about it.

[besslein]

combat used,but not rusty buckets

[Jareth]

I agree with MikeP. Without 110% provenance how can you tell the condition of a helmet wasn't added on post war. Either by poor storage conditions or kids playing war games? I have a personal solution...my collection goal (Japanese headgear) is to own one issued/salty example & one mint/unissued of each variation of helmet & field cap.

[Woodster09]

I love items that when you hold them, you can put yourself in the shoes of those who wore it last. Sweat marks in the liner band, worn paint that only combat can do (not something that could of happend from the vet's kids playing in the backyard), names on the skirts, undisputable provenance, etc. are what catch my eye. If only they could talk. Battle worn all the way.

[Daniele C]

battleworn of course

i collect history not just pieces of metal otherwise i would have collected something cheaper