FJ M-35 Helmet at St. Com du Mont?

[vcpk9]

I purchased this Fallschirmjager helmet in a militaria shop in St. Marie Du Mont, Normandie, France last week while visiting for the 70th Anniversary of D-Day. The shop has been there for many years and has a good reputation so i know that its original and its also my first German Helmet. I am a Fallschirmjager reenactor and WW2 German Militaria collector. I purchased the helmet to wear in living history events only and as a collector's item. I plan to install a modern modern leather liner and chinstrap to the original metal headband and acquire the missing bolt and nut. Then put a splinter pattern helmet cover to preserve the original paint exterior. Other than that, im leaving it as is.

Here is what i know about the helmet..It was found in a house in Orne, France (near Normandy), It has three original late war screws and bolts, and metal liner. The paint on the outside indicates early war (but im not sure), the interior of the helm has quite a bit of rust (as you can see from the photo). I don't really know what pattern of helmet it is or its value. I have read about using "Evaporust" to remove the inside(only) of the helmet. I know that it will decrease the value but at the end of the day...it will continue to rust if i dont..I planned on using the evaporust then wiping it down with Ren Wax. Do u think this is ok to do? Your help would be greatly appreciated.

[vcpk9]

[Willi Z.]

It is a M38 FJ helmet. It is not an early helmet. Mid to late war. Paint, bolts, and zinc liner band are the keys.

Maybe some others can chime in about what to do with the rust. I am not one who would touch it as is has already survived 70 years.

While in St Marie du Mont did you go into the main church where von der Heydte climbed the tower to view Utah Beach?

[vcpk9]

Thx For the helmet info...Yes...i did go to the church and went in it but couldn't get in the tower...It was a FRJ-6 eccentric tour...lol... We saw most of the famous FJR-6 sites..Carentan, Seaves's Island, St. Com Du Mont and "Kraut Corner"..etc...I will be posting vids of it on my Youtube channel...We also found some battlefield goodies there as well.

I purchased this Fallschirmjager helmet in a militaria shop in St. Marie Du Mont, Normandie, France last week while visiting for the 70th Anniversary of D-Day. The shop has been there for many years and has a good reputation so i know that its original and its also my first German Helmet. I am a Fallschirmjager reenactor and WW2 German Militaria collector. I purchased the helmet to wear in living history events only and as a collector's item. I plan to install a modern modern leather liner and chinstrap to the original metal headband and acquire the missing bolt and nut. Then put a splinter pattern helmet cover to preserve the original paint exterior. Other than that, im leaving it as is.

Here is what i know about the helmet..It was found in a house in Orne, France (near Normandy), It has three original late war screws and bolts, and metal liner. The paint on the outside indicates early war (but im not sure), the interior of the helm has quite a bit of rust (as you can see from the photo). I don't really know what pattern of helmet it is or its value. I have read about using "Evaporust" to remove the inside(only) of the helmet. I know that it will decrease the value but at the end of the day...it will continue to rust if i dont..I planned on using the evaporust then wiping it down with Ren Wax. Do u think this is ok to do? Your help would be greatly appreciated.

[Paul Walmsley]

I was there also for the 70th also!
-posted this thread about use of US parachute camo by 6th FJ regt from an exhibit in the house at Dead Man's corner…
http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...d.php?t=743941

[ROBB]

Looks like a nice helmet though the pictures are not very good ,if you fiddle with it the value would drop drastically and of course you will get earache from all us collectors moaning at you for ruining a piece of history . Rob

[bigschuss]

I purchased the helmet to wear in living history events only and as a collector's item.

I think these are mutually exclusive. Adding a new liner and messing with the helmet with rust remover and chemicals for living history events will reduce/negate it's collectibility.

Do u think this is ok to do? Your help would be greatly appreciated.

As a reenactor and collector you obviously have an appreciation for history and its preservation. You have a nice piece of history here from Normandy, and also a souvenir from your great trip to France for the 70th. To go and bugger it up with chemicals and a new liner just to reenact seems a bit of a shame, to me, IMHO.

Why not just buy a reenactor's helmet and then do whatever you want to it and save this one for your shelf?

Then again, in the end of the day, it's your helmet and you can do whatever you want.

Your trip sounds great. That must have been great to be there for the 70th.

[Schwerpunkt]

Don't mess an original war relic up for reenactment. Bad idea.

[ENGLISH BOB]

As an Ex "stitch Nazi" FJ re enactor I would say leave that helmet well alone and put it on your shelf as a memento of your trip.
I would just use a re en-actor grade helmet,there's some pretty good ones out there,plus most importantly you risk having it stolen...doesn't take much to slip it into a bag when your backs turned

nice find,errr... I mean purchase

Regards
Bob