very sad to see

[RonR]

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[RonR]

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[RonR]

A "muck" scoop....


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[RonR]

Gas mask cannisters reconditioned.........


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[BROBS]

this is actually really cool! now I will have to look in the kitchen areas of flea markets and antique stores!!

-Brian

[Spencer PK]

I have one like this, found it in Vienna. It's an M35 size 68 with a blacksmith-installed shovel tang at the front. It looks like it was used for cement. There's enough left of the original paint etc to see that it was a DD. I'll get some shots tomorrow. It's hanging on the wall of my office.

[blackadder]

nothing sad about it... the people where in great need of materials after the war and made the best out of every item they could re-use.
This is also one of the main reasons why we can call finding an original untouched helmet pretty rare. It managed to escape from being used for something else.

Even better, I like some of the reuses very much. Especialy those gas cannisters. Also tips of panserfaust are used for cups, the stielhandgranate cups etc etc. you can see some on that picture aswell.


Nice video by the way, thanks for sharing, hadn't seen that !

[Totenhead]

This happened in other areas too

Although not Germany related, my father was on exercise in Libya around Tobruk in the late 50s early 60s with the RE, he tells me they came across many villages where the people had built little houses and shacks from old left behind British biscuit tins and such like. People just have to make do with what comes to hand I suppose

[Spagg199th]

Ron, nice pasta strainer!

[Simon H]

These items are collectables in their own right. Used to get ignored years ago, now everyone is after them. The prices are going up all the time.

[Marcel Banziger]

nothing sad about it... the people where in great need of materials after the war and made the best out of every item they could re-use.

Completely agree here!

[pablo10]

as a collector of course it is sad to see a fj helmet as a pot but its also good to see despite the worst of condition back then we humans can be resourceful and these items we able to be utilized wisely instead of just dumped in a landfill etc.

[sgtdorango]

These are great!...ive also heard that the leather from german helmet liners were used to make sandals and leather shoes?....mike

[buhrkall]

over 500 helmets thrown into a hole

in denmark https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UrC4WPlSCfk sad about half have been with decals

[billmunny]

wow

Great thread..esp the you tube video from 1946..the factory reminds me of the enamel pots and pans factory of Oskar Schindler in Schindler's List...necessity is the mother of invention...!