Factory applied..

[Jos L C]

Hi ,

Just a question :

Several times I've read the term " factory applied decals "..

I was just wondering if any pictures exist of a helmet factory showing helmets that have already decals on them.. ?

I didn't know decals were factory applied ,so..

Jos.

[gertje]

Hi ,

Just a question :

Several times I've read the term " factory applied decals "..

I was just wondering if any pictures exist of a helmet factory showing helmets that have already decals on them.. ?

I didn't know decals were factory applied ,so..

Jos.

Hello Jos,

This is a picture that I found on Brian Bell's helmet site. Is this what you mean?
http://www.german-helmets.com/STACKI...%20STORAGE.htm

Marcel

[sauerland]

rare pic

I like the legs on the babe to the left , thanks for posting that pic I just happen to have a pre war helmet with that decal arrangment.

[Frentebro]

The tilted shield would denote a very early date. I would assume that once helmets were being produced in very large numbers, decals would normally have been applied at the unit level.

[darryl-P]

The tilted shield would denote a very early date. I would assume that once helmets were being produced in very large numbers, decals would normally have been applied at the unit level.

Why would that be?

[Luftm40]

I think some decals were applied at the factory, and others were applied at depot, unit or even individual level. Quist M40 SDs for example, tend to have very high quality, professionally applied decals that almost look painted on. I think these were factory applied. In contrast, I think most police M42 DDs have unit or individual applied decals...it just depends on the helmet

[darryl-P]

I think some decals were applied at the factory, and others were applied at depot, unit or even individual level. Quist M40 SDs for example, tend to have very high quality, professionally applied decals that almost look painted on. I think these were factory applied. In contrast, I think most police M42 DDs have unit or individual applied decals...it just depends on the helmet

Although there is no documented evidence, other than in photos taken at some of the helmet factories, I (and some others) believe that virtually all helmets came supplied with decals affixed. This is evidenced by helmet shells attributed to specific makers bearing specific runes/party decals.

Helmets revamped and reissued at field and depot level are different and will display decals made by another manufacturer.

My opinion only of course.

[arjan]

adding that all helmets were already painted, so were already signed to a part of the army (LUFT,HEER etc) so there was no reason not to apply the decals already.

If all decals were applied at unit level, then it might be logistic better to paint factory helmet with a primar en paint the original (blue or greenish) color at unit level aswell.

Arjan.

IMO

[Luftm40]

..along these lines, I think it is helpful to think of German helmet production as more of a spectrum...one type, or production method gradually blending in to another. The spectrum accounts for transitional pieces and oddities, both of which certainly exist in original examples. Helmet production got off to a rocky start. There were production shortfalls and quality control issues. Aluminum, the wonder metal of the 1930s, was eventually found to be unsuitable for use in a combat helmet. This shortcoming was first "band aided" by adding reinforcement to the liner band next to the bales, but later the base metal was changed to steel or clad zinc. The same things apply to decals. I think *some* early helmets made when factory production was just getting started were delivered without decals, hence the detailed instructions on how to apply them. Application was left to units and individual soldiers. To me, the M40 SD (DD in the case of police)represents the pinnacle of German helmet production. The liner issues had been solved, production streamlined somewhat w/ the deletion of the separate air bushing, but quality and finish were still quite high. I think most M40 SDs had decals applied professionally at the factory. Later in the war quality was sacrificed for quantity, hence the raw edges and cheaper leather of the M42 series. The steel used in M42 is also of a cheaper grade, which is why they tend to rust more easily. Decals eventually went by the wayside from the factory, but since they were commercially available, there was still the option to apply them to a factory supplied no decal. There are also factory applied decals on M42s...again the "spectrum" concept I mentioned.

[darryl-P]

Andy,

Very logical and reasonable...no arguements here.

[Jean-Loup]

Andy, dont you think it might be more the difference in quality of the paint, and not of the steel witch makes mdl 42's rust more?
JL

[Luftm40]

JL, I think it is actually both. I haven't had the steel analyzed, so that was just my impression based on the helmets I have handled. An M35 or M40 will tend to develop that nice smooth, browned look in worn areas, wheas an M42 will often have rust, even on examples that have been stored well...again, just my impression