Questionable Camos

[M45]

I used to like these 'woodchip-normandies'. If I remember rightly, a moderator from the WAF forum had a collection of helmets very similar to these. He was able to find three or four of them with the identical camo. What luck to find the same helmets like that!

Now that I'm a bit more 'matured' on the topic, I would have issues with many of these woodchips based on lack of believable wear patterns.

 

[M45]

Three Color Camouflage

http://ww2germanhelmets.com/M1940-Heer-German-Helmet-2484.html

M1940 Heer Three Color Camouflaged German Helmet

This is a great looking M1940 Heer German helmet with Three Color Camouflaged paint. This WWII German helmet retains 70-75% of the original three color camouflaged paint. The hand brushed paint is nice and vibrant and is a really attractive pattern. The paint is a tan base with brownish red and green. The paint exhibits nice aging, wear and patina indicative of period paint. I have included some shots in the sunlight which best represent the colors. The split pin rivets are intact and are original to the helmet with the exception of the front left pin which is missing. This German helmet has the correct and original M1931 zinc galvanized steel liner, most often found in helmets issued 1940-1945. The date on the liner band is not legible due to oxidation. The liner band is size 60. The liner leather is in missing and appears to have rotted away. There are remnants of the chinstrap. The helmet is a nice large NS68 indicating manufacture by the Vereinigte Deutsche Nikelwerke, Schwerte, Germany. The lot number is D235. The name of the German soldier is painted in black paint in the rear skirt however the name is not quite legible due to wear and aging. As with all our WWII German helmets, this M1940 Heer German helmet comes with our Lifetime Guarantee and Certificate of Authenticity.

$1,450.00 Item #2484

 

[Hambone]

I used to like these 'woodchip-normandies'. If I remember rightly, a moderator from the WAF forum had a collection of helmets very similar to these. He was able to find three or four of them with the identical camo. What luck to find the same helmets like that!

Now that I'm a bit more 'matured' on the topic, I would have issues with many of these woodchips based on lack of believable wear patterns.

Said ex-helmet forum WAFmod on left

 

[M45]

M40 ns62 tri-color camo

http://helmetsofwar.com/original-helmets-sale/

M40 NS62 TRI-COLOR CAMO HELMET MINT LINER POSSIBLY ZIMMERIT

This is a gorgeous three color spray painted Normandy helmet in a rough cement like finish most likely a field applied Zimmerit. The helmet is an M40 NS62 indicating manufacture by the Vereinigte Deutsche Nikelwerke firm in Schwerte, Germany. The rear lot number is D193 which gives us a shell production year of 1941. The texture is rough and hard and upon a very close examination I can see no sand, sawdust or other particle type texture used in the paint and it has more of a paste look and feel to it suggesting a field applied coating of vehicle Zimmerit which was then over sprayed in tan yellow, maroon brown and dark green with some fading and discoloration to the original hue. The inside paint is a dark slate gray with some hints of blue so I’m about 80% certain this was a Luftwaffe issued helmet although any decals are heavily obscured by the thick layer of over paint.

The date on the internal liner band is too dusty and close to the shell and so I can’t make it out but it would most likely be 1940 or 41 and is clearly stamped 55 on one of the leather fingers. The liner is in remarkably good condition and is buttery smooth with a some nice sweat and aging marks at the front brow. All three split pins are fully in tact and have a light layer of surface corrosion but are most likely marked D&C 1941. The original drawstring is still present which nicely completes the liner but sadly it didn’t come with a chinstrap although based on the condition of the shell and liner must have had one at some point or was possibly removed and discarded as a cadaver cut.

Overall because of the hard finish of the camo paint/paste there isn’t a lot of wear to the outside however based on the buttery mint condition of the inside liner I would feel it was safe to assume that this helmet while pretty didn’t see a lot of combat use for whatever reason. Too bad it wasn’t a larger size as I might have wanted to keep this one but it’ still a great piece of WW2 history!!!

$2200

 

[M45]

Ebay Snow Camo

Ebay snow camo.

I noticed some similarities with the first helmet in this thread, also a snow camo.

 

[M45]

Another Questionable Camo

Stuckus, I feel fairly confident of my abilities with german helmets, but with any other aspect of TR militaria, I'm like a duck out of water.


An unusual tan camo scheme similar to others posted in this thread, although this one seems to incorporate the tan color in conjunction with the factory paint.
$2500

Ebay item# 190896656228

This EF M42 also looks like it had 25 cents worth of camo applied recently.
US $1,399.00
Ebay Item# 151237228273
Seller is dashnbetween

 

[Hambone]

This EF M42 also looks like it had 25 cents worth of camo applied recently.
US $1,399.00
Ebay Item# 151237228273
Seller is dashnbetween

A vandalized M.42 ND helmet. $400 helmet + 10 cents worth of spray paint = $1,399 ?

 

[M45]

A vandalized M.42 ND helmet. $400 helmet + 10 cents worth of spray paint = $1,399 ?

Ham, that's called the 'New Math' in German Camo helmet collecting. As you said, Vandalism!

There is such a resemblance to the other (post#56), I wonder if the same person is the 'artist' ?

 

[M45]

Water Pattern Camo

WATER PATTERN CAMO

A camo that looks to be a copy of the German water pattern camouflage. Strange wear marks, and the liner appears to be postwar as per the inkstamp.
http://www.timetravelermilitaria.com/

 

[Hambone]

WATER PATTERN CAMO

A camo that looks to be a copy of the German water pattern camouflage. Strange wear marks, and the liner appears to be postwar as per the inkstamp.
http://www.timetravelermilitaria.com/

Uh, travelled to the 70s for that one.

 

[M45]

Normandy camo m42

A NORMANDY CAMO M42

This one is currently on Ebay for $1250. This is one I suspect would fool a lot of collectors. The wear looks to be contrived, and there are areas where the paint is absolutely pristine.

eBAY item# 141208339853

 

[M45]

Fj rgt.6 paratrooper camo

FJ RGT.6 PARATROOPER CAMO


the 16K+ pricetag tells me this is a rare, highly sought after para camo. I'm not a camo 'expert', but someone please tell me why this paint is authentic.
This helmet was first featured in post#60.

M1938 Luftwaffe Regiment 6 Normandy Paratrooper (Fallschirmjäger) German Helmet

The Regiment 6 Fallschirmjäger helmet is one of the most desired WWII German helmets in the collecting World. The Regiment 6 Fallschirmjägers were moved to Normandy area (Utah Beach) during May 1944 just a couple of weeks ahead of the Normandy Invasion (D-Day). The Regiment 6 paratroopers camouflaged their helmets in a very distinctive pattern with a tan base with green spray and wood chips. This is an incredible example of the super scarce M1938 Luftwaffe Regiment 6 Fallschirmjäger (Paratrooper) German Helmet. The exterior of the helmet retains 95% or better of its original field applied camouflaged paint. The helmet retain three of the original aluminum slotted bolts and one earlier painted spanner bolts. The bolt is apparently a wartime field replacement, based on this helmet was found by a picker, direct from the family of the Veteran that captured the piece and it has not been messed with. All four bolts have the correct period hex nuts, with all exhibiting the same aging and patina. The leather liner is in very nice overall condition with only light wear. The liner is RFNr. marked 0/0250/0622 and is size stamped 66/54. The inner dome pad is present. The original chinstrap harness is present and is also in nice condition commensurate with the liner. This is a later war example thus it was issued as a No decal piece. The shell is stamped ckl66 indicating manufacture by the Eisenhuttenwerke firm in Thale, Germany. The lot number is 4287. Overall, simply a stunning piece and one of the most desired WWII German helmets. As with all our WWII German helmets, this M38 Fallschirmjäger German helmet comes with our Certificate of Authenticity and Lifetime Guarantee.

$16,500.00 Item #2597

 

[jhv 41]

I defer to forum experts as I am by no means at all versed on helmet authenticity. But based on comments in this forum, can any seller or anyone for that matter 100% guarantee this is an original? The following is listed on this seller's site:

I also offer a lifetime guarantee as to the authenticity of the items you purchase. I carefully select the helmets that I sell on this website. I can assure that the helmets listed are 100% authentic pre-1945 German Helmets.

SS Steel by Kelly Hicks is a must have before you start collecting SS helmets.

As with all our WWII German helmets, this M38 Fallschirmjäger German helmet comes with our Certificate of Authenticity and Lifetime Guarantee.

 

[Peter U]

You can also buy such helmets as a replica, for reenactor use, for +/- 250€.


P

 

[iron bender]

Why is the liner band in such bad condition?

 

[Hambone]

I defer to forum experts as I am by no means at all versed on helmet authenticity. But based on comments in this forum, can any seller or anyone for that matter 100% guarantee this is an original? The following is listed on this seller's site:

I also offer a lifetime guarantee as to the authenticity of the items you purchase. I carefully select the helmets that I sell on this website. I can assure that the helmets listed are 100% authentic pre-1945 German Helmets.

SS Steel by Kelly Hicks is a must have before you start collecting SS helmets.

As with all our WWII German helmets, this M38 Fallschirmjäger German helmet comes with our Certificate of Authenticity and Lifetime Guarantee.

This dealer is a good guy, I've bought a number of helmets from him, some really superb ones at fair prices. The thing is, he does stand behind his sales with that guarantee where others have a 3-7 day inspection. You can't ask for much more than that, particularly in helmets. Any dealer who sells "camos" is going to sell pieces which are questionable/controversial. Sometimes it comes down to subjective.

I defer much to Peter U's opinion on FJ camos, particularly FJ Regt. 6.

 

[M45]

This dealer is a good guy, I've bought a number of helmets from him, some really superb ones at fair prices. The thing is, he does stand behind his sales with that guarantee where others have a 3-7 day inspection. You can't ask for much more than that, particularly in helmets. Any dealer who sells "camos" is going to sell pieces which are questionable/controversial. Sometimes it comes down to subjective.

I defer much to Peter U's opinion on FJ camos, particularly FJ Regt. 6.

Ditto. I have purchased helmets from a number of these sellers; excellent helmets all and at fair prices. Guarantees are nice to have, but if you need a guarantee in TR collecting, you are in the wrong hobby, plain and simple. If you don't know exactly what you are buying, then someday, someone's error/mistake is going to cost you dearly.

If you have the book Combat Helmets of the Third Reich VOL.II by Kibler and Iqbal, a forward by Kelly Hicks discusses how European counterfeit helmets are now the 'new normal' over there, 'taking on an authenticity all of their own'.
I think the same thing is happening over here in the West with SS, Para and Camo helmets in particular. These helmets circulate among well known collectors and dealers and pick up an ownership history, vet provenance, and COA paperwork; all very important things when one wishes to feel safe about purchasing a high dollar helmet.

If you are a stockbroker for instance with deep pockets and an interest in investing in TR items, what do you do when you don't know the first thing about the hobby? Talk to authors and friends of authors, rub shoulders with the 'right people' and they will turn you on to some good stuff. It has to do with 'trust' and feeling good about your purchases, that your sellers know their business, and that you are getting an exquisite piece of history at a bargain price.

The most important thing is that the buyer is $atisfied with his/her purcha$e, backed up by vet provenance, COA'$ authors and friend$ of author$.

Yes, many camos are subjective in nature, but I am startled by what is passing for authentic these days.

 

[jhv 41]

Appreciate the feedback regarding helmet collecting. Another forum member mentioned in a different thread it is a minefield and I would agree with that statement.

In comparison to k98 collecting, where serialized numbers, markings, specific parts, etc can provide some reliable (not definitive) provenance/comfort - helmet's really are a whole different animal. You really need some deep expertise, knowledge, trusting collector buddies and faith/trust in seller.

 

[M45]

Vivid 3-color camo

VIVID 3-COLOR CAMO

http://www.germanhelmetsinc.com/helmetssale.htm

Item 751 M42 3 color camouflage helmet

This M42 helmet is a size 66 EF. The EF maker mark is so faint as to be almost invisible. The three color camouflage pattern is an interesting type produced in a very mottled pattern by brush. The paint has fairly coarse woodchips mixed with it and in many places where the paint has worn away; the woodchips are exposed. A lot of paint is missing from the front split-pins; the one at wearers right has only a tiny portion left clinging. There is no sign of an underlying decal. Overall; very vivid colors. ON HOLD

It seems as if these 'sawdust camos' are all the rage now. This hunger for 'exotic camos' and SS decals is insatiable, and strangely, they are being 'found in the woodwork' left and right. But is this a 70 year old paintjob?
When zooming in on some of the woodchips, I notice the pristine condition of their structure.

 

[M45]

Army normandy camo

ARMY NORMANDY CAMO


WWII M35 ET62 German Army Normandy Camo Helmet

Here is a top shelf high grade example of a Normandy 3 pattern camouflage helmet. Exterior colors consist of the typical green, tan and brick red which is mostly still intact and rates at a beautiful 97-98%. The camo paint exhibits crazing in specific areas. Close up images attached from a 100mm Macro lens and also a USB microscope at 20x. Aluminum content can be detected under the paint in certain areas on the left side of the helmet with the USB microscope which is in the shape of an Army decal. No National tri-color decal can be detected on the right side. Very tight fitting liner system 100% original to the helmet. All three untouched split pin rivet fasteners intact and complete with all three slotted washers. Rivet heads are fused to the helmet with camo paint as seen in the close up. Leather liner fully pliable, intact and has taken on a darkened aged appearance. Drawstring in full length and in place. Chinstrap buckle is steel with most of its gray paint intact. Long portion of strap is in full length and pliable. Manufacturer and date on tip is indiscernible. This helmet also comes with an XRFacts certification. Overall excellent condition.

Price: $3000


http://germanwarhelmet.com/helmets-for-sale-3/