Hello folks. Here's a nice salty M40 camouflage over-paint that came directly from the son of the WWII vet who "souvenired" it during the war. It's been in the proverbial woodshed for decades, and despite some mouse gnawing to the leather, remains in pretty much UN-touched condition. It's named on the rear apron to a Grenadier. The camouflage paint was very thinly applied (spray), and the decal (Heer) has bled through. I've not quite been able to discern however, the exact color scheme, as in certain light I see "Normandie" colors, but in-hand, and in direct sunlight, it appears to be much more of a tan / mustard "tropical" color w/ a light shade of brown / green. I'd be interested in what the helmet forum members might think of the colors. The helmet is an SE and is complete w/ many years of dust, crud and cob-webs. Appreciate your comments, and thanks for your time!
-
-
2 -
3Comment
-
I'd go for mediterranean, I have a similar oneComment
-
Hi Fred. Thanks, yes, I'm actually leaning that way myself. If it IS, I'm all the happier, as they seem to be a bit tougher to find than the Normandie patterns (in my humble opinion, anyways...!) Thanks for your comments, and nice helmet too, by the way!Comment
-
You're welcome
Comment
-
Hi Milton i think med camo too, mabye the original paint is
showing through thinner areas of the tan making it
seem a different colour in a few places
anyway nice lid
Fred i'd have yours too!
Regards Paul.B.Comment
-
Same appearance on mine.Originally posted by Paul.B. View Post
Thanks Paul, some more pics if you want (this had no success while listed on Estand in nov/dec 2007, jingle bell jingle bell
http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...d.php?t=264278Last edited by Fred S; 02-10-2011, 05:51 AM.Comment
-
That's a good and probably valid point Paul. It could well be the base paint showing through, however in person, in the sunlight, it does seem to have a bit more of a slight mix of color, the predominant shade being mustard tan / brown. Thanks again for your comments gents.Comment
-
"tropical" vs Normandy...IMO it is often hard to know for sure w/out vet provenance. Some camo paint tones are clearly from N Africa/Sicily/Italy, but tans and greens were used in France as well. I have camos that I know for a fact came from Normandy that I could probably sell as tropicals...Either way...nice one!Comment
-
NICE helmets! Yes, unfortunately the veteran himself is deceased and apparently no one in the family ever thought to ask him from where his souvenir items were acquired. Not surprising, considering these things were doubtless out of sight and mind for years....history lost.Comment
-
You may want to ask the family for any information they have on the veteran, even just a name to go off and try researching his service records. They won’t say exactly where the helmet came from but at least may narrow down the region. It's worth a shot.Comment
-
Well sort of anyway, the helmet at least is still around and not gracing some landfill somewhere like so may have in the past. PC mentality being what it is, some people are actually disgusted by this hobby of ours and throw out items worth thousands everyday.Originally posted by Milton View Post
Comment
-
That's all very true. There probably isn't a single old landfill in the country that doesn't have it's own small population of war memorabilia of ALL sorts. A lot of folks probably come across this stuff whilst cleaning house many years after the fact, and either through ambivalence, or in some cases fear (if weapon related, for example), would rather toss the stuff in the trash heap than contact an outsider to come in and purchase the item(s). ESPECIALLY if they're of the hard-core "pc" mindset....I suppose all of us in the hobby are helping to preserve history and are occasionally lucky enough to "rescue" historical items from an otherwise ignominious fate.Comment
-
Find out the Vet's unit and research where it saw action. That might help place the pick up area.Comment
Comment