New Helmet

[Chris Chalupa]

ROBB, liked that response. Seriously, the paint on an original could have been just about any consistency and certainly could have brush marks, it is the wear on the brushmarks that concerns me. A light buffing with OO steelwool will remove the surface of the raised details giving the types of highlights on this helmet. The helmet pins and vents are particularly stressed which can be a sign as well. Baking a helmet will remove the new paint smell without cracking the paint if done at a lower temp, cold bluing solution will rust and corrode exposed areas, leaving wire out in the grass overnight will cause it to corrode (for wire enthusiasts), old axle grease has been used to add grime, urine has been used to add corrosion as well, the list goes on and on... let us know how the pin test works, if it chips off a large amount of original paint... it wasn't my idea...

[ROBB]

Ok chaps ,I placed the pin on the thickest bit of paint which was tricky as its not particularly thick and pushed down and a little bit of the paintwork chipped off ,so I wont be doing that again .So far the only conclusive stand up in court evidence that this is an elaborate fake is the cylindrical bit on the chinstrap buckle .I certainly wont be needing the services of OJ Simpsons lawyers to defend me ,Rob

[Jos L C]

Well, I've carefully come to the conclusion that I like the camo.., my guess is that it maybe was painted with the rivets out..

Conclusion for me wouldn't be it's fake when it was painted with the rivets out.., or the rivets were changed/mixed when a new liner got in..

Sandpaper would make many,many parallel scratches ,crosses etc..
What I see are brushstrokes badly done.., this ofcourse is just my observation..

The real helmet collector will go for untouched helmets , it's first liner ,rivets thight in place etc..

Battlefield did different things to helmets sometimes IMO.., helmets were collected from killed people and recycled.., a M35 helmet CAN have a '40 dated liner , new liners got in etc..for example.., it's not the wish of the collector , but it can be real..
So,I've a more " loose " thoughts about helmets sometimes.., but they've to be original ofcourse..

I've a rather good feeling about the paint on this one.., flaking ,..

This moment I vote for original.., I like the colors too..
It's not one of the "waxed" ,overdone etc helmets in the first place..

Jos.

[Jean-Loup]

I think the difference of color between the rivets and the shell can be caused by the fact that the shell and rivets are made out of a different mix of metal. You usualy see this on helmets with aluminum rivets or stainless steel rims, maybe it is the same here? Also the paint could be brighter on the rivets because they got the dirt rubed of of them during the transport handling of the helmet, since they are prominant.
"the same alleged brush strokes extend across more than one color of paint. The brush strokes should stop where the color ends. Sorry, but the helmet has been sand papered."
The paint brush strokes being visible under several different shades of paint can be explained by the fact that the strokes from the lower coat of paint can stay visible when an other shade of paint is aded on. For example, maybe this helmet was completely painted in thick yellow paint, leaving big brush marks; and then was painted with more liquide green paint in ceratin areas. If this was the case, the brush marks from the yellow paint would be visible thru the green paint.
Sand paper leaves extremely distinct marks, and I dont see them here.
Having said this, if Darryl says the chinstrap is bad, that is a pretty bad sign.
JL

[Jack Dutton-Roberts]

Seriously nice helmet Rob!

I wish I had one like this

Thanks from Jack.

[Jos L C]

if Darryl says the chinstrap is bad, that is a pretty bad sign.

Jean-loup ( hello )

I see a chinstrap as something that is replaced in more than 50 % on all helmets.
I've seen guys on shows only dealing in ( and that's a cigar ! ) only original chinstraps..., buy a helmet...,no chinstrap.., finding a totally wrecked helmet can give you a original chinstrap .

So , woodwork items can have added items too ( in many cases ) IMO.

And if the replacement is fake...,than it's fake..pity...chinstraps are rare, more rare than any helmet .

If you find original chinstraps , pay your $ 60.-/up to $ 100..,why not ,helmets are easier to find..

I don't say they're worth it, it's rediculous..., but they're very scarce.

Jos.

[Ty Smith]

How is this for brush marks ? This one I have no doubts about.
Is it the same?

[Ty Smith]

close-up

[Perry Floyd]

No it's not. You have to take in many areas because everything has to come together to make it right. Robs helmet doesnt in my opinion...

[ROBB]

No it's not. You have to take in many areas because everything has to come together to make it right. Robs helmet doesnt in my opinion...

Thankyou Jos and Jack ,This helmet is a babe ,you need to look at it under a glass ,I have found traces of a luftwaffe decal poking through ,I honestly cant see any signs of sandpaper glass paper black and decker work or any signs of chinanagans .Here is the last picture ,where are the brush strokes?.I think we must agree to disagree on this one ,Rob

[ROBB]

Ok one more ,Rob

[Jean-Loup]

Hey Jos

I agree with all you say, but in this particular case, the helmet owner thinks he bought the helmet from a non collector type, witch could indicate it is 'out of the woodwork' and thus original. But the fact that there is a fake chinstrap means it has been thru the hands of a collector, witch would make the low price the helmet was bought for suspicious. Add to that that several very knoleagable collectors dont like it....
JL

[ROBB]

Hey Jos

I agree with all you say, but in this particular case, the helmet owner thinks he bought the helmet from a non collector type, witch could indicate it is 'out of the woodwork' and thus original. But the fact that there is a fake chinstrap means it has been thru the hands of a collector, witch would make the low price the helmet was bought for suspicious. Add to that that several very knoleagable collectors dont like it....
JL

"but in this particular case, the helmet owner " Hi Jean-Loup you can call me Rob .The low price was because non of you lot spotted it, or you would have said so by now .Jean-Loup tell me what you dont like about the camo ,cheers Rob

[Jean-Loup]

Hi Robb, if you re read my first post, you will see that I think the camo can be authentic. But if Perry and Daryl dont like it; that sounds bad. Plus, if the guy you bought it from knew enaugh to add on a fake chinstrap, he probably also knew he could sell it for much more.
JL

[Jos L C]

What is the issue ?

Even if the helmet was sold for $ 1.00 ,that doesn't say anything about the helmet IMO.
Question is : is the paint fake or not ?
I like it sofar,that's one opinion.

Imagine Robb's conclusion is now " hey ,some guys with knowledge don't like it " ,and he puts it on ebay again.., he's glad to get half of his money back maybe.., so , the next winner has it for cheap . ( so ,the helmet is not good . )

Doesn't say anything about the helmet , it says you're not sure and choose the safe way in your discision.

It still can be a original helmet though , our or some their minds chanced ,not the helmet .

I only concentrated on the helmet , not the price.., I don't care about the price .
Even people with no knowledge and a made up story can sell original items , even without knowing .

The point is still : is the paint original or not ?


Jos.