Question regarding decals on Cammo Helmets

[Ron K]

Dear Gent's,

I am new in German helmet collecting so I am doing my homework and reading books. I have read both books written by Ken Niewiarowicz and Anders Lehrman but something is not claer to me. He stated that all helmets came in standard paint so this means that the cammo helmets were done in the field.
My question is were these overpainted helmets supplied with new decals or not?

Thanks in advance!

Bets regards,

Ron

[Bill Hermann]

The camo paint was painted in the field/unit level and existing decals were either painted around or mostly painted over. Regards, Bill

[Ron K]

Thanks Bill.
So an cammo painted helmet with and "newly" applied decal is not correct.

Ron

[jerryrehr]

Thanks Bill.
So an cammo painted helmet with and "newly" applied decal is not correct.

Ron

It would Not be correct 99% of the time IMO. Reading the books is a Great Start.
Jerry

[Schwerpunkt]

Dear Gent's,

I am new in German helmet collecting so I am doing my homework and reading books. I have read both books written by Ken Niewiarowicz and Anders Lehrman but something is not claer to me. He stated that all helmets came in standard paint so this means that the cammo helmets were done in the field.
My question is were these overpainted helmets supplied with new decals or not?

Thanks in advance!

Bets regards,

Ron

Correct a camo helmet should not have a decal applied on top of the camo and any such helmets should be evaluated individually. I have seen one or two that had decals , the question is when were they applied and by whom. Could have been done by the US vet after the war.

[Ron K]

Thanks for the answers regarding my question. It's all clear for me now.

Those books and your answers saved me for a couple of Thousand bucks.

Thanks!

Best regards,
Ron

[Steve Turner]

Some legitimate examples exist, but I suspect more times than not camo helmets with decals were done after the war.

No soldier in combat would want a shiny decal on their helmet if the need for camouflage was necessary, it's just not logical in terms of concealment.

Many veterans, old collectors, re-enactors, and fakers liked the look of decals and 'dug' them out by carefully removing the camo paint overtop, or applied new surplus original decals. Many fakers also like to camo helmets and mask the decal so it would look cooler, and hopefully bring more money.

There's so many good fake camos on the market now it's getting tougher for collectors to tell what's good and what's fake, especially if you're just getting started. You can get that feeling just by reading the threads on this forum and others, tons of fake stuff out there.

Regards,
-Steve

[Ron K]

Steve thanks for your comment. I totaly agree with your statement that soldiers don't want an shiny decal on there helmet.
I know that there are lots of fake helmets on the market. That is not only by German militaria.
I collecting for about 25 years American firearms from 1848 till the end of the Indian wars in 1894. This is also a minefield specialy the Colts and Confederate arms.
Because of this I always read books and study pictures, etc on forums and the internet.

Regards,

Ron

[ROBB]

Hi Ron can you post some photos of your firearms I would love to see them . Rob

[Anders L]

Ron K, nice to see that you like our book. Thank you!

[Ron K]

ROBB I shall post a few tomorrow. It's evening over here and I am not at my computer now.

Anders L I like your book it's an great help an guide. Both of you did a great job. Thanks!

Regards,

Ron