My new DAK helmets

[Mr. Hollywood]

It's very interesting when I read members saying that there is "name-calling". I haven't seen anybody call each other names up to this point unless of course I missed it. I did say that Nick G did not know how to research appropriately and I stand by that statement. That in no way talks about him as a human being. I'm sure Nick G is a very nice person and I can honestly say I have not seen him call anyone names or really be derogatory to any other members on this thread.

That being said I still in no way agree that these helmets are pre-1945. My opinion is based on a couple decades of experience, owning a couple of these helmets over the years, as well as many other pre 1945 helmets. I do not feel in any way that there has been factual documentation presented to prove the case for the original intent of this thread.

If someone can prove definitively that these helmets are pre-1945 I would be happy to eat my hat. Experience has shown me that anomalies are always going to be around, some will be excepted as original while others may not. But experience has also shown me that trends happens with in the collecting community that can be dangerous to those of us who value originality. this thread is a perfect example of a trend. It can misinform collectors flooding the market with bogus material, destroying the historical importance of this material.

This thread takes hypotheses as well as innuendo backed with grainy photographs and modern day reenactors who we all know rarely get things right to support the conclusion of the helmets originality. Where is the meat of this thread? I'm not looking for a smoking gun, I am looking for the definitive proof that can be verified independently to prove the authors assertions.

Based on photographic documentation as well as original examples that I have studied personally along with what has been posted on this thread and the other board I can comfortably say that the color is indicative of postwar uniforms used by the Czechoslovakian soldiers. Simply left over stock repurposed post war. Were the helmet painted exclusively for the Czechoslovakian government post war I cannot say conclusively. Whether they were post were painted for another government be it is Egypt, Isreal or other I cannot say conclusively. I can'say conclusively, in my mind based on evidence that is been around for more than 25 years as well as what has been recaped on this thread that the helmets are in fact postwar painted. There is plenty of evidence to support these ideas, and almost nothing to support a prewar painting or assembly. They simply don't fit the known practices of the german military fabrications supply line during the war whether it be early or late. That is a true "fact".

[DougB]

Hey there!
Speak for yourself! Im enjoying the thread! And yes as stated earlier I have 20 of these "iffy" helmets! Why is there such resistance to the point of name callings,insults,and personal attacks just for tryn to find out what these really are? Like I said earlier If you don't like thread don't participate! Go look at some "text book" examples and be happy!
Kevin

Kevin, I will call a spade a spade and if that ruffles some feathers so be it. The reply I was given by Chris to my "open research" comment was insulting and mocking. That sir, is a definition of being a prick, ergo, I called it out.

As you have 20 of these helmets you have a very clear reason to ensure a specific outcome, so unless you have something to offer to the discussion other than to silence those who are taking a deeper look at this and asking for hard proof before anointing these helmets as SS on primarily a bunch of uniform pics and hearsay, I suggest you are the one to sit on the sidelines.

[WalterB]

Doug, I have always found you to be extremely polite and willing to share information and your collection. Your always willing to answer pms and answer questions , I do not consider you one of the rude that post here. I am also a member of wahalla and have always found it much more civil there. So I'm a bit confused as why some are rude here, but polite there. So it's not directed at you.
I understand the difference between frustration and rudeness.

That said , even though I have not formed a positive opinion on the helmets . I had
To stick up for Nick when I thought the circle jerk crew were being rude. It is very typical for the jackals to throw out innuendos , side handed insults and whatever the brave computer jockies think is smart. ( now I guess I'm being rude ,but not calling anyone in particular out. )

I don't think some even read entire posts as the responses to my posts were answered as I was a cheerleader for the helmets ignoring the purpose of my post.

I don't know why I'm rambling here and not sure if Nick is right or wrong I'm just sticking up for Nick because I think he is good guy and doesn't deserve the crap. I think Nick heart is in the right place , even if his opinion may be construed as flawed by some.

I think the amount of time and effort he has put in the discussion is admirable and weathered most of the side handed condescending insults . Did he get sidetracked now and then ........maybe so. (Like the iconic German helmet theory.) The Czech and tropical photos he posted were great. Thanks for posting Nick.


Anyway my advise to Nick, give it up it's not worth taking the insults .......if you had a dead German still wearing one of these helmets you won't convince those that dug their heels in. It has now become an exercise in frustration for you. Although I don't think you locked in or proved your theory . You are up against a wall of diversions of those trying you make you look like an ass. Plus, many of these helmets have probably been monkeyed with , so someone is always going to pull one out of their ass to blur the argument. I don't mean the Czech resistance one. I mean relinered or such as I'm sure those stacks of liners we see at the SOS have left a lonely shell someplace.

Before anyone bites my head off , I am not a helmet expert or purport to be one. I do have helmets in my collection and own some decent ones. Being they are not the sole target of my collecting is why I have not formed an opinion on these helmets . I have been in the trenches collecting for about 37 years and have seen a lot of anomalies. I also understand how anomalies are not enthusiastically accepted and valued as boilerplated items. So I get the guys that just don't like them ......real or not or should I say postwar painted or not.

I did not read your prior posts simply because time and time again you have proven to carry very little weight in your views. The above thread is yet another prime example of that. All those words and a complete waste of time. Senseless drivel.

[DougB]

>>Making accusations about creating the SS story (hidden agendas) to sell these helmets with big profit....All that is nonsense talk. Please!
I did not start that tone!!! <<

Nick, nowhere have I said that you have an agenda to sell them. Perhaps Kevin does as he apparently has 20 of them. But as I can assure you, there is a $ motive here, perhaps not from yourself, but you can SS stamp toilet paper and you will get "Is it real and whats it worth threads". Anything related to the SS suddenly becomes worth a lot of money. As I said here and on GHW, your agenda does not have to mean profit. Just being right. I do feel you are interested in finding the truth about these, but facts and anomalies are not explained or are ignored. That is not good research or discussion NIck and that is where I have taken exception.

>>Seriously my contributions were mocked and disrespected from the get-go by the self-proclaimed helmet gods here...It is their attitude that derails constructive conversations...and poisoning the well...<<

I have to disagree, unless I missed something I don't see anywhere that you've been mocked or disrespected. Challenged strongly yes. But its a serious challenge that for pages now has been ignored.

>>As a matter of fact I have been contacted by people who rather not even contribute/participate because of this (sending me PM's or emails and encouraging me to press on) as I happen to have a thick skin! <<

I am sure you have. That does not mean the theory is correct. People that know helmets and read other forums may not agree. How many times have people posted an obvious fake in the hope it is real, not knowing the subject matter of helmets? It happens daily. So certainly there would be a lot of supporters who want them to be SS helmets. Maybe they own one who knows. And if they turn out to be SS helmets after serious challenges to the theory, then great, they have proven it to be so beyond a shadow of a doubt. That is how good research passes the litmus test, is it not?


>>Go ahead and make fun of my research approach like Hollywood did. <<

Please point to exactly where I have made fun of your research approach. You said you are a better researcher than Mr H because you speak 5 languages and have Czech contacts. IN other words, you put him down. I called that out.

>>Others have been following it out of interest (or "morbid interest" depending who's camp you are in) and the poll that I created also proves that there are a lot of "fence sitters" on this topic so the need is there to really get to the bottom of this mystery, hence the 25,000+ viewings!!!...more traction than Walhalla ever had on a helmet thread
( their core following!)<<

Yes we have only 1200 members at GHW not the numbers WAF has. This is not about this forum or that forum. There has been more focused discussion over a broader range of these helmets than here, and I merely suggested you read it. Now that you have seen clear evidence these tan helmets have been postwar painted you have brought that post here.

>>What we accomplished collectively I believe is that these are not Egyptian client rebuilds (lazy research/assumptions 20+ years ago)<<

I agree wholeheartedly. It has been a great discussion to debunk that train of thought. However in the process, the shift to them being SS has been supported by grainy BW photos, more pics of clothing and uniforms that helmets, and reenactor pics. That is where I believe the challenges to that theory began.

Why replace 1 bad theory as fact with another? If it is to be proven then all discussion is valid, not just the discussion you or Chris think is valid.

>>and Israeli is also unlikely (but that is an opinion). <<

It was declared as fact a few pages ago. I agree it is unlikely but it is not a fact. Thank you for that.

>>Nobody ever dared to go against the grain, against the common knowledge (albeit unproven) that these were cancelled Egyptian lids...Now we have and it has not been a wasted effort, on the contrary! <<

and for that it is to be commended. Not a wasted effort. But lets not waste that effort in trying to force a different theory through without all the proper due diligence and taking discussion from members who live breathe eat and sleep helmets. There is a lot of expertise here. Much of that has been ignored, hence the stronger challenges that have come since.


>>Btw glad to hear that you know how to use a computer translating program. <<

Your the one who brought up the language issue, not me. Again just because you can speak 5 languages does not make you a better researcher as you said.

>>I must confess I used that too with my Czech research, as that language I do not have under my belt (5 other I do with no computer help).<<

Well then we both have to translate Czech.

>>OK so the thread has become a joke to you , well step off the bus! <<

When people dont answer challenges to a theory but ignore it and keep posting the same bw and reenactor photos over and over again, and words are put in peoples mouths, then yes the thread has lost its focus and becomes a typical WAF 400 pager with no end in sight until closed by Mods.


>>You control the ride. I do appreciate your contributions, especially that sand colored SS decal helmet with Tripoli connection.! Amazing! We are here to learn and share and yes lets keep it gentleman-like! We can at least all agree on that no doubt!
I want to extend an olive branch and continue the ride gentleman like!...The more that stay on the bus, the more we can find out I hope! Press on!<<


Thank you and I agree with that.

[NickG]

They simply don't fit the known practices of the german military fabrications supply line during the war whether it be early or late. That is a true "fact".

1946 DATE DISCOVERY
Very true the finish / texture lacks...but that's the extent of the difference. (and actually even that "smooth look" existed but in a different time span:
pre war apple green DD combat helmet, as seen in parades.

EVERYTHING (else) is 1000% wartime, that is why these are so interesting.
Why do these lack texture because the were stripped completely. Texture removed! Now if the consensus is that those dome stamps have been faked on some the later M42's, well that means the M42's were ALSO completely stripped and reworked (to include fresh inners) as opposed those being new-born, fresh made like that, so sans texture...
which ( I FULLY AGREE) for a war time German spec helmet is puzzling and doesn't fit the known war time practice. Does that make these therefor impossible for war time consideration? NO...anomalies are all over the place in this hobby...we all know that, (but perhaps for just helmet collectors less apparent) ... to include short cuts in production, "ersatz" (substitute) parts, "beute" (captured) parts etc...

Yes they are strange and yes they are not text book and yes they are puzzling.
The fact that one surfaced with a 1946 date stamp on the chin strap is a very positive development to me as it means these helmets existed as early as January 1946-December 1946, Right? So pretty much immediately after the war ended. Technically WW2 ended (in the Pacific) much later so these were date stamped WITHIN a year after the war.
Why on earth were they made and processed so early after the war ???while everything was in total devastation? Marshall plan had not even fully kicked in...They were MUCH more focused on rebuilding, displaced persons etc...
If a new post war army (or border guard Regiments as I touched on) was being organised 5 minutes after the war ended in the liberated territories, they scratched supplies together (including war time saharianas!) no need, no money, no reason for such a thorough rebuild...That's a war time thing, the need, the (German thoroughness...over engineered, over-cleaned and we all know how thrifty the Germans were.) A banana republic army would have slapped some paint on the exteriors only (like the Egyptian Czech made USSR helmets from the 1950's)

These helmets were ALWAY thought to be an export order for Egypt or what ever...and in a MUCH LATER time span...(late 40's - early 50's) Things were heating up the in Suez Canal region...now we have a helmet with a 1946 date.
And sending these to Israel with a 1946 repaint to meet in Israel spec ???That's a dead end as I expected all along....connecting Czech built Israeli ME-109's with a helmet delivery (and canceled) us is a MUCH MUCH bigger stretch (bigger leap of faith) than connecting these helmets with SS saharianas!!!! Heck the State of Israel did not even exist until 1948...
So that paint can be their government requirement either (and canceled later, like the Egypt fable)

To me that leaves the door WIDE WIDE OPEN to ww2 production, regardless if some of that paint was probably also used post war to cover the outside shell of another helmet (w/Czech decal). Like you said a lot of helmets were laying around, well so was paint apparently...post war match up of a war time paint job. I honesty do not see a warsaw pact color or CSSR color on these...to me its RAL., left over in 1946. Would the Checks even be bothered making their own paint code? They no doubt had massive amounts of it left over from the BRNO, TATRA and SKODA companies, all contracting for the Germans.

Again we need to ask ourselves why to these exist and why with a 1946 date stamp...that's just WAY too early for an export order...That to me is an indicator of UNTOUCHED war time left overs stamped in 1946, juts like Italian camo parkas with CZ property stamps... (perhaps these were made for an AXIS ally nation, not following the German spec fully?)
I do agree the possible SS connection was a leap of faith (but not a very big one, tan was a big thing based on the photos)... anyway that Polizei Div origin was explained to me by my Czech source...+ SS vet recollection...so I threw it out there for investigation, like any researcher would do. You need to investigate ALL avenues...open research...!

[NickG]

Now with that said (perhaps an AXIS contract war time??) look again at these:
All to me at least light colored helmets to include Romanian ones...
This was thrown out there by a member on the Walhalla parralel thread on this topic!

[DougB]

Doug,

Ok so we can agree on some things;

1/ You know as much about how the Israeli government viewed German helmets in 1948 as I do

2/ That shade of sand/ tan/ brown RAL was used during WW2 and is not post-war epoxy

3/ The Germans left a reasonable quantity of steel helmets in the CZ at the end of WW2

4/ There is nothing so far that does not prove the hoard of WW2 German steel helmets where not found in the same place as other hoards of WW2 German uniforms and equipment in the CZ after May 1945

5/ The shade of sand/ tan/ brown RAL in question can be confused with other mono tropical finishes in black and white photos. Thus being over-looked in the past.

6/ it was dangerous for CZ freedom fighters to wear German helmets & uniforms in 1945. However, many did out of necessity or lack of other military headgear/ uniform

7/ "OVL" helmets are replacement stock for helmets lost in tropical areas like Greece to maintain inventory levels. Order for replacements have to have been made some time in 1944 onwards but before May 1945

8/ Many sand/ tan/ brown RAL helmets observed are not "2 colors of factory tan"

9/ Neither you or I have had a hands-on inspection of a CZ found helmet with a dome stamp

10/ No evidence real or circumstantial of a contract to buy WW2 German helmets from the CZ by another country after May 1945 has come to light

11/ Longtime collector recall of NYC helmet with Israeli markings is in same boat as SS Police Division memory except SS veteran had a photo album of what he remembered.

12/ Cz collector evidence of "RAL tan" painted postwar over top of Cz postwar markings is in the same boat as dome stamps. More examples of such over-paint needed to confirm one-off case.

13/ No evidence to date of RAL tan repaints like other color postwar repaints by the Cz such as black but this possibility could be considered.

14/ There exists a need to find items that show a Warsaw Pact color match to the "RAL tan" it might exist.

We both remain open-minded to war time or post war,

Chris

Hi Chris, yes and to sum up, it is merely a theory that these can be SS, and it is a theory they can be Israeli, Romanian, or postwar whatever.

The evidence thus presented can be viewed through one of three glasses, the first two are tinted. 1, to wanting to see them as SS, 2. to wanting to believe they are postwar, or 3, just taking an interest to see what they are.

I have been amazed at how the first pair of glasses have been worn throughout this discussion, hence my vocalization about the unanswered anomalies.

When there is a theory there cannot be any anomalies. Otherwise the theory dies. So I am trying my best to view with no glasses to see what they are but taking exception to there being no explanations for other evidence pointing to the contrary of them being German (SS).

With respect to the qvl helmets, they postdate the need for a tropical helmet thus being replacements as you suggest.

With respect to the the RAL shade, it matches Warsaw Pact colors as posted on GHW. Any paint color can match in any era. Just because a paint shade is close to another does not make it wartime German. Look at the many faked camo helmets today, all matching the RAL shades of paint. Only they were made in someones garage a couple of weeks ago.

No explanation for what factory would strip textured paint off, repaint, domestamp, then distribute these when common practice was to overpaint reissued helmets.

The longtime collector also has a photo album that goes back and I am wondering if he has a pic. That said, he has a photographic recall on helmets, ask anyone who knows him, he can bring up facts about individual helmets from decades ago. It is uncanny. I am not saying they exist, but when he talks about a helmet, I listen.

The helmet posted with the Cz marking under the tan RAL colored paint is clear evidence these are postwar painted. GHW Member Kangaroo who is Cz has further insight into these as posted there.

So yes I agree Chris, these may or may not be postwar or wartime. But all the evidence including the small details have to be looked at. If these are to be wartime AND for the SS, then it must be indisputable. We are a long way from that.

Cheers, with respect

Doug

[Schwerpunkt]

Now with that said (perhaps an AXIS contract war time??) look again at these:
All to me at least light colored helmets to include Romanian ones...
This was thrown out there by a member on the Walhalla parralel thread on this topic!

Nick it says 'presumed' khaki or olive , that's not tan in my book.

[NickG]

I know its all black and white so inconclusive and probably a dead end trail to most....but maybe a Romanian member or somebody can investigate?
I know Romanian helmets exist in German Feldgrau, German paint texture even with German liners added... so reworks but in a light color? Who knows?
Just wanted to share this ! Made for them but the Romanians switched sides as we all know....and the deal got cancelled? (images were posted on Walhalla!)
Again checking all options, post war Czechoslovak border guards? SS or other German formation? Romanian or other AXIS war time contract? (and cancelled)

Nick it says 'presumed' khaki or olive , that's not tan in my book.

btw
the definition of "presumed": (Webster) "to think that (something) is true without knowing that it is true"..that is in the book!
and I agree most likely feldgrau helmets but perhaps they had tan ones made for them but never delivered (Romanians switching sides)

So yes I agree Chris, these may or may not be postwar or wartime.
Cheers, with respect
Doug

OK that's settled, were back on track trying to solve this! Thanks Doug! Lets keep digging, not attacking guys! It is a combined effort!

[Mr. Hollywood]

NickG

When you are quoting my thread please place it in the appropriate context.

When I said that the helmets do not fit the known manufacture of pre 1945 helmets I was not asserting that the parts are not pre 1945. I was specifically referring to the paint properties, and how they were applied.

I am sorry but I have yet to personally come across a mid to late war helmet that was refurbished into a tropical color from an official supply depot that was possibly disassembled, stripped of its original paint/ texture, only to be repainted from the inside out in this color pallet for use during the war.

If you have proof please post it. I would ask that you limit your postings and not divert the thread with photos of re-enactors (aka adult cosplayers) , or B/W photos.

Please post photographic examples of actual helmets full resolution, and in color to support your theory. I would like to see known ACCEPTED ORIGINALS (ie: ones collectors are claiming to be pre-45 usage) , and not the standard helmets that have been posted thus far.

DougB was kind enough to share his ORIGINAL SS Tropical helmet that exhibits the same painting techniques as other tropical helmets of 1939-1945 war usage, which in my eyes supports no other anomaly of manufacture. Its text book so to speak..

Thank you.

[NickG]

NickG

When you are quoting my thread please place it in the appropriate context.

When I said that the helmets do not fit the known manufacture of pre 1945 helmets I was not asserting that the parts are not pre 1945. I was specifically referring to the paint properties, and how they were applied.

I am sorry but I have yet to personally come across a mid to late war helmet that was refurbished into a tropical color from an official supply depot that was possibly disassembled, stripped of its original paint/ texture, only to be repainted from the inside out in this color pallet for use during the war.

If you have proof please post it. I would ask that you limit your postings and not divert the thread with photos of re-enactors (aka adult cosplayers) , or B/W photos.

Please post photographic examples of actual helmets full resolution, and in color to support your theory. I would like to see known ACCEPTED ORIGINALS (ie: ones collectors are claiming to be pre-45 usage) , and not the standard helmets that have been posted thus far.

DougB was kind enough to share his ORIGINAL SS Tropical helmet that exhibits the same painting techniques as other tropical helmets of 1939-1945 war usage, which in my eyes supports no other anomaly of manufacture. Its text book so to speak..

Thank you.

True that is text book and what most expect to see...if these mystery helmets had been text book like that this thread would not even exist...does that mean they are 100% post war? I am beyond the German spec argument (even though I an still open to anomalies...) Like I wrote (because these do not meet the German spec) maybe they are still war time but a foreign contract war time. Like I pointed out, the 1946 discovery kills the (canceled) Israel contract, kills the (canceled) Egypt contract...all those theories that existed for 2 plus decades now completely blown out of the water....does not fit the need and time span. Again Israel did not even exist in 1946....
So with that said...
these were processed refurb'd either :
(1) during the war not completely text book and left over and date stamped 1946 (like parkas etc,...)
Or
(2) Very shortly after the war ended stripped and repainted..
To me that has now been proven -established. See we are getting some where

Now on (1) was there a need for more helmets during the war (regardless of following the exact spec)... A resolute YES., perhaps an Axis contract!! Perhaps production short cut...Perhaps lack of proper paint?
now on (2) was there a need for totally factory reconditioned helmets less than 1 year after the war ended? Certainly not for an export contract...no need, no funds...
Just destruction...chaos, displaced people, food shortages, clothing shortages...you name it...in 1946 made? Heck the Czech government in exile e barely made it back from London in 1946...dealing with chaos...power struggle with the pro communists etc...


And for the naysayers, in your wildest dreams had you expected to see helmet with a date stamp this early ? NO! Everybody thought is was a post war contract for some commy connected 3rd world country with weird Cold War paint or something...confess!!
Of course now that's been completely debunked with the 1946 date which makes the war time Scenario only months earlier...hence all the war time parts...adding a simple 1946 ink stamped date, exactly just like they did with all their recycled German gear very early post war... I think this is absolutely a possibility now.

[Mr. Hollywood]

True that is text book and what most expect to see...if these mystery helmets had been text book like that this thread would not even exist...does that mean they are 100% post war? I am beyond the German spec argument (even though I an still open to anomalies...) Like I wrote (because these do not meet the German spec) maybe they are still war time but a foreign contract war time. Like I pointed out, the 1946 discovery kills the (canceled) Israel contract, kills the (canceled) Egypt contract...all those theories that existed for 2 plus decades now completely blown out of the water....does not fit the need and time span. Again Israel did not even exist in 1946....
So with that said...
these were processed refurb'd either :
(1) during the war not completely text book and left over and date stamped 1946 (like parkas etc,...)
Or
(2) Very shortly after the war ended stripped and repainted.. To me that has now been proven -established. See we are getting some where

Now on (1) was there a need for more helmets during the war (regardless of following the exact spec)... A resolute YES., perhaps an Axis contract!! Perhaps production short cut...Perhaps lack of proper paint?
now on (2) was there a need for totally factory reconditioned helmets less than 1 year after the war ended? Certainly not for an export contract...no need, no funds...
Just destruction...chaos, displaced people, food shortages, clothing shortages...you name it...in 1946 made?

NickG

Don't take this the wrong way.....but you're exactly like a used car salesman. Every time something specific is being requested you find a way to twist, manipulate and steer your way around the questions at hand producing nothing in the end but air.

Its fruitless to continue this thread. Its not because I don't agree with your positions, its because there is absolutely nothing in the way of factual data. Your sweeping statements are just that.................air...................rubbish ...........BS........whatever adjective you care to associate.

To be honest you are exhausting. Sorry but once again I will concur with others..........your arguments are one sided, and lack a constructed well throughout theory supported by a checks & balance system. Your supporters will argue my opinion, but it doesn't matter.


Good day.

[PAB]

Its like a Punch and Judy show with old N who is the devil. The thread has passed its sell by date .

[NickG]

OK I will capitulate. Last post with my thoughts! ...just weak attack comments..a shame PAB! No contributions...
Just wanted to learn and share thoughts, possibilities...I have not learned why these are without any doubt
Post war...hoping to get resolution but like Dennis already stated : heels are already firmly dug in...regardless of valid
Counter arguments...oh well. At least I tried to make people think more open minded...but in the helmet world
It's text book or nothing....not so in other German collecting areas...on the contrary but probably less exposure if
Helmets are your only thing....and lastly guess what a Romanian text book helmet should not come with a German liner and German
Paint ...they came with shiny Dutch paint job smooth as a baby's behind...and a Dutch liner...but those don't get doubted...
Refurbished not in accordance with that spec...It is what it is...a mystery...

[Mr. Hollywood]

OK I will capitulate. Last post with my thoughts! ...just weak attack comments..a shame PAB! No contributions...
Just wanted to learn and share thoughts, possibilities...I have not learned why these are without any doubt
Post war...hoping to get resolution but like Dennis already stated : heels are already firmly dug in...regardless of valid
Counter arguments...oh well. At least I tried to make people think more open minded...but in the helmet world
It's text book or nothing....not so in other German collecting areas...on the contrary but probably lees exposure if
Helmets are your only thing....and lastly guess what a Romanian text book helmet should not come with a German liner and German
Paint ...they came with shiny Dutch paint job smooth as a baby's behind...and a Dutch liner...but those don't get doubted...
Refurbished not in accordance with that spec...It is what it is...a mystery...

One again assumptions, and hot air.

I will admit I am purest when it comes to collecting anything. Whether that be historical memorabilia, film memorabilia or anything for that matter.

Text book is the basis for all to ensure accuracy and most importantly authenticity. Anomalies are few and far between and should never be accepted without exceptional scrutiny. That is how the hobby stays pure, and once again text book is the basis to authenticate an anomaly.

Your comments about exposure are once gain haberdash, and unfounded opinion. It is clear to me that you are not aware of your audience. The individuals that made up the solid criticisms of this thread are well rounded collectors who know their stuff. They have world class collections, and are willing to share. I include myself within this group and am proud to pose a challenge to help keep this hobby as clean and unsullied as possible by those that blur the lines in order to force their agendas, or naivety.