1944 Stamped Stahlhelm? with dodgey chinstrap setup.

[Blindpew]

After reading threads about "mythical M45's", I've been pondering over this helmet.
I've always assumed that it is a post-war helmet, due to the paint work and the chinstrap arrangement, it's just the serial numbers that bug me.
The shot that shows the serial numbers isn't too clear and is not easy to see the first part even with the naked eye.It's something like - "q>o64" the underneath "44C6". Is this the year of manufacture? -if so, are there many helmets out there with this chinstrap variation?

Thanks in advance.

[Blindpew]

serial numbers

?

[Blindpew]

outside shot.

[Lasse L]

Hmm, 2 riviets, re-worked spanish m42?

[Blindpew]

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...4&page=1&pp=15

After reading this, I'm thinking that I'm being branded a "faker"!? -Maybe I'm just being paranoid.
I'm almost certain it is NOT a re-worked spanish helmet.
I have never viewed a spanish helmet so I may be wrong, but my understanding is that it wouldn't be stamped if it was Spanish.
Therefore if it is Spanish, then someones went to the trouble of "faking" a serial number, -and I can assure it was not me.
I bought this on e-bay around less than a year ago, - it was a SHELL only, I've stuck in a "modern" liner, and repro rivets, and stuck a ddr helmet net over the top.
My only reason was to have a visually "different" helmet.Any infor,(even if it is- thats a fake, would be appreciated).
Thanks

[Sharkster]

I have a Spanish helmet with the same chinstrap set up. Can check the top front of the helmet for any signs of the place where the Spanish insignia was attached to the helmet. Have seen many Spanish helmets with the metal fixture ground off the front though.


Sharkster

[Blindpew]

not convinced it's Spanish

Thanks for your thoughts.Is there any chance of some photos?

http://www.gostak.demon.co.uk/helmet...L_JPG_view.htm

The main thing that strikes me about Spanish helmets is that it's only the earlier models, (M26-M38?) that have flared edges.The M42's Didn't? -am I right?
This helmet Clearly has a flared edge.
I have had a look for evidence of "grinding down", but unless it's under the paint, I don't see it.
I will remove the paint eventually, but I still have a project from before-(ROBB -the Dieppe helmet-I haven't forgotten).
I can't give any more shots just now as I have been having problems with nokia software-I will do later, if my server doesn't go down....(again...sse broadband...sse snailband.....thats another story.)

I do admit it looks like similar liner arrangements to the earlier Spanish helmets,
but again this Helmet just doesn't look like any of them.
I have another helmet that has had the "drop down liner" from the crown, it is unriveted around the shell, but has chin-strap hangers spot welded on the inside.This helmet which I'm pretty sure is post war, is made of a steel that won't allow a magnet to stick to it.(common for post war helmets?).

Is it possible that this is actually a Austrian variation, as the placing of the chinstrap rivet is about the right place for an Austrian M16.

The silence from many bothers me........

[Peter_Suciu]

Can you post any other photos. I'd like to see a direct on shot of the helmet as well as from the side.



How many rivet holes are there? Are there five or seven rivet holes? I have a Hungarian helmet that was re-issued to the Finns and it has the Hungarian rivet holes, which are in the same place as the Austrian ones that you mention, as well those in the same place as the Germans. The Finns used both Hungarian and German lines and many of the helmets are found with these "extra" holes.

And the more I look at the photos the more I'm thinking this was probably reissued for some post-war civil use. The second set of rivets...do those just hold the chinstrap on, or attach to the liner? I almost think a chinstrap hanger was added to a standard M42. I'd like to see how professionally this was done. Maybe another police/fire helmet.

Lots of weird stuff shows up on this forum!

[Blindpew]

Hi Peter, thanks for your thoughts. I have a Hungarian helmet and the holes are near the same place.

The post-war adaption sound more feasable.The rivets, that hold the chinstrap hanger are solely for that purpose, and I would say professionally done.I'll take the liner out for a better shot later.Meanwhile here is some other photos.

[Blindpew]

.

[Blindpew]

next.

[Blindpew]

Heres a close up without liner

[Blindpew]

My Hungarian M36 for comparison.Note holes that hold liner are behind air-vent.The holes actually correspond to where the chinstrap would be on a complete German liner.I believe the Hungarians and Finns preferred it there as it re-inforced the chinstrap "hangers" better?

[Blindpew]

sde view close up.

[Peter_Suciu]

Well, it is a strange helmet but safe to say that it is NOT a Spanish M42 helmet. It appears to be a German M42 with the added chinstrap hanger. Possibly post-war Austrian? Civil use is still my best guess.