SS helmet I need opinions on

[Monroe]

Hi Everyone,

Sorry it's been a long time since I posted here. This is a helmet that I just can't be sure about. I've had it for about 20 years and probably got it from the Great Western Show, or maybe Der Gauleiter. I didn't keep good records then and I'm only marginally better at it now.

I apologize for the photos but it's been difficult to get good shots of this one either indoors or outside. The photos are from a few different efforts.

The helmet is an M40 ET64, lot number 620.
It has areas of green camo paint and marks where a wire was around it. The pins are away from the shell a bit, I think indicating that wire was wrapped around them. There are initials "W.H." on the leather but that is all I can find to try to identify this with a soldier.

I've never been sure about the decal, so I'm looking for opinions if possible from my photos. I've got the helmet books and have looked on this site and I have other SS helmets to try to compare to but I can't make a determination.
The decal has some areas of gold tone to it and I don't know if that is from age or traces of lacquer. It doesn't appear to be applied over any scratches in the shell.

Here's hoping the photos load...
The closeup photos of the decal are the last two images.
The first close up of the decal was taken inside and the second was taken outside in the late afternoon sun.
Mike

[ken8824]

Decal looks totally not okay.

The rest looks real though.

Cheers

[WalterB]

Decal looks totally not okay.

The rest looks real though.

Cheers

I agree, decal is bad. Rest of the helmet looks okay.

[Schwerpunkt]

I think the decal may be ok but has been touched up.

[SSamir]

Very difficult to tell. ADM is probably the way to go here. Wait for Doug to see what he says.

Samir

[thatswar1944]

looking good from here but the decal does look tinkered with tad, and it tallys with the lot number

[panzer1432]

ss

Decal looks totally not okay.

The rest looks real though.

Cheers

Me Too !!

Mike

[foamspoon]

I think it is a ET ss helmet, but there is something with that decal. It has definatelty been touched post war.

[DougB]

What bothers me is the narrow shield and very exaggerated lower half. The entire decal areas been messed with as evidenced by the scratches and paint loss around the decal, almost like its been liberated and then painted over incorrectly then heated to add age or something. Its in the correct lot range for an SS M40 ET certainly. It's a real mess either way.

[ken8824]

Looks like she had wire @ some point. Could that explain a part of the mess?

[DougB]

Looks like she had wire @ some point. Could that explain a part of the mess?

It appears to me no.

[ValhallaMilitaria]

Not one I would be comfortable with.

[foamspoon]

can we get a close up of the left side were a heer decal would be?

[Kengir]

I really like the helmet... but that decal gives me the hebejebes.

[Monroe]

Thanks guys for all the input about the decal. I agree that it looks like it's been worked on somehow. I'm not sure if someone was digging at it, or just what has happened. I suppose if it was out of the range of possible lot numbers, then that would seem pretty definite.

I don't know why I didn't think to include photos of where the eagle decal would be if it were a messed with army helmet.
Here are some closeups. I can't see any sign of a decal having been there.

No remnants, different sheen to the paint, or scratch marks.

Mike