Questionable Camos
- Thread starter M45
- Start date
The composition of those paints was a flaxseed base I believe Peter. That will create somewhat of an enamel look. I look for that in original camos.
These are unquestionable originals, both with direct vet provenance.
http://www.k98kforum.com/showthread.php?11822-M-40-Lw-camo-twins-vet-mailing-label
They have a "sheen" to them, though not shiny like an enamel, a shine nonetheless, and I believe it is the binding agent, the flaxseed oil base, which creates that, though I bet someone could clarify.
These are unquestionable originals, both with direct vet provenance.
http://www.k98kforum.com/showthread.php?11822-M-40-Lw-camo-twins-vet-mailing-label
They have a "sheen" to them, though not shiny like an enamel, a shine nonetheless, and I believe it is the binding agent, the flaxseed oil base, which creates that, though I bet someone could clarify.
M45
Well-known member
Good call. I envision the day when a catalog of 'restorations' is produced with details and illustrations of many of the 'camos' in circulation.
RE: the "Rex39 camo', the 'Grigsby camo', the 'Latvian-connection camo', etc...
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M45
Well-known member
Item 801 M40 Medic helmet
Item 801 M40 Medic helmet
http://www.germanhelmetsinc.com/helmetssale.htm
Medic camos are among the most often and well-faked helmets out there. But this is a one you will never have to worry about. The cross runs completely from side to side and front to back. 90-95% of the original red and white paint remains. The helmet is a Q66 no-decal of 1943 vintage. The liner is damaged on a couple of the fingers But the overall honesty of this piece more than makes up fir it. The chinstrap is by all indications original to the helmet. If you have ever wanted a "one looker" medic, you may want to consider this one. $5500
I agree that medic helmets are often faked, along with those off-the-wall decaled helmets like Teno, Spanish blue Division, French Legion, East Indian regiment, Sauerland Volkssturm, and so on. There are probably far more fakes of those helmets than originals that have survived. I worry alot about faked helmets in this hobby, and when someone tells me not to worry, I worry all the more. The fact that the cross runs completely from side to side and front to back almost clinched it for me. I was almost a believer
The 90-95% figure given would probably be more accurately applied to the helmets probable restoration. The Q66 S4517 lot number I think is more likely to be late 1944-1945. (My opinion on this, is that very late helmets are the least likely to have had elaborate period field mods. Possible certainly, but unlikely, I think). The fact that the liner is damaged is also a good indicator of non-originality IMO, as an ND helmet with a damaged liner is a low-dollar helmet, similar to heavily worn reissues that often "grow" components such as wire, decals and camo paint during the postwar years. Low dollar helmets are good candidates for restoration, unlike good conditioned decaled helmets that already have high value. A "one-looker" helmet ?
Item 801 M40 Medic helmet
http://www.germanhelmetsinc.com/helmetssale.htm
Medic camos are among the most often and well-faked helmets out there. But this is a one you will never have to worry about. The cross runs completely from side to side and front to back. 90-95% of the original red and white paint remains. The helmet is a Q66 no-decal of 1943 vintage. The liner is damaged on a couple of the fingers But the overall honesty of this piece more than makes up fir it. The chinstrap is by all indications original to the helmet. If you have ever wanted a "one looker" medic, you may want to consider this one. $5500
I agree that medic helmets are often faked, along with those off-the-wall decaled helmets like Teno, Spanish blue Division, French Legion, East Indian regiment, Sauerland Volkssturm, and so on. There are probably far more fakes of those helmets than originals that have survived. I worry alot about faked helmets in this hobby, and when someone tells me not to worry, I worry all the more. The fact that the cross runs completely from side to side and front to back almost clinched it for me. I was almost a believer
The 90-95% figure given would probably be more accurately applied to the helmets probable restoration. The Q66 S4517 lot number I think is more likely to be late 1944-1945. (My opinion on this, is that very late helmets are the least likely to have had elaborate period field mods. Possible certainly, but unlikely, I think). The fact that the liner is damaged is also a good indicator of non-originality IMO, as an ND helmet with a damaged liner is a low-dollar helmet, similar to heavily worn reissues that often "grow" components such as wire, decals and camo paint during the postwar years. Low dollar helmets are good candidates for restoration, unlike good conditioned decaled helmets that already have high value. A "one-looker" helmet ?Attachments
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M45
Well-known member
M42 wire camo
M42 WIRE CAMO
http://www.germanmilitaria.com/Heer/photos/H003865.html
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: The stamped, sheet steel construction helmet retains about 75% of its original field-grey paint. The left side of the helmet has a Wehrmacht eagle decal which is retained about 70%. Attached to the top of the helmet is it heavy gauge, foliage camouflage attachment wire. All three liner retaining rivets are intact. Complete age and usage darkened, quite dry and still, M31 leather liner. The interior reverse neck guard apron has a number stamp "3165" and the stamped manufacturer’s code and size "ckl 64" indicating manufacture by Eisen-und Hüttenwerke, AG Thale/Harz, size 64. Of Note: The placement of the manufacturer’s code and size on the reverse, interior, neck guard apron indicates manufacture after mid-1943.
GRADE **** PRICE $2,499.00
I see a heavily worn SD Heer M42 with heavy wear to the paint, decal and liner. Without the wire, this helmet might be worth what, $300-$400 ? But that wire (which doesn't appear to have been on that helmet very long) is worth at least $2,000. Depending on the weight of the wire, it should be made out of gold for that price.
M42 WIRE CAMO
http://www.germanmilitaria.com/Heer/photos/H003865.html
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: The stamped, sheet steel construction helmet retains about 75% of its original field-grey paint. The left side of the helmet has a Wehrmacht eagle decal which is retained about 70%. Attached to the top of the helmet is it heavy gauge, foliage camouflage attachment wire. All three liner retaining rivets are intact. Complete age and usage darkened, quite dry and still, M31 leather liner. The interior reverse neck guard apron has a number stamp "3165" and the stamped manufacturer’s code and size "ckl 64" indicating manufacture by Eisen-und Hüttenwerke, AG Thale/Harz, size 64. Of Note: The placement of the manufacturer’s code and size on the reverse, interior, neck guard apron indicates manufacture after mid-1943.
GRADE **** PRICE $2,499.00
I see a heavily worn SD Heer M42 with heavy wear to the paint, decal and liner. Without the wire, this helmet might be worth what, $300-$400 ? But that wire (which doesn't appear to have been on that helmet very long) is worth at least $2,000. Depending on the weight of the wire, it should be made out of gold for that price.
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M45
Well-known member
M40 wire camo
H041470 M40 COMBAT HELMET WITH CAMOUFLAGE WIRE
http://www.germanmilitaria.com/Heer/photos/H041470.html
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: The stamped, sheet steel construction helmet retains 95% of its original feldgrau paint. Attached to the top of the helmet is its European style chicken wire applied for securing camouflage foliage, etc.. The wire is formed into fairly consistent, large, six sided opened panels with the correct amount of twists to two sides of each panel. The chicken wire is crimped onto a heavier gauge wire that is horizontally laid at the apex of the crown and visors with an additional four pieces of evenly spaced wire being crimped around the bottom edge of the helmet to secure it in place. Wire is all original to the helmet and untouched. All three liner retaining rivets are intact. Liner is mostly present but is now very dry and most of the finger ends are torn. Lot Nr. is T4634; Maker is Quist; size appears to be 66. Great camo wire helmet.
GRADE **** PRICE $3,200.00
A no-decal M40 Q66 with a damaged liner may sell for about $200 ? This wire basket is worth $3K all by itself.
H041470 M40 COMBAT HELMET WITH CAMOUFLAGE WIRE
http://www.germanmilitaria.com/Heer/photos/H041470.html
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: The stamped, sheet steel construction helmet retains 95% of its original feldgrau paint. Attached to the top of the helmet is its European style chicken wire applied for securing camouflage foliage, etc.. The wire is formed into fairly consistent, large, six sided opened panels with the correct amount of twists to two sides of each panel. The chicken wire is crimped onto a heavier gauge wire that is horizontally laid at the apex of the crown and visors with an additional four pieces of evenly spaced wire being crimped around the bottom edge of the helmet to secure it in place. Wire is all original to the helmet and untouched. All three liner retaining rivets are intact. Liner is mostly present but is now very dry and most of the finger ends are torn. Lot Nr. is T4634; Maker is Quist; size appears to be 66. Great camo wire helmet.
GRADE **** PRICE $3,200.00
A no-decal M40 Q66 with a damaged liner may sell for about $200 ? This wire basket is worth $3K all by itself.
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M45
Well-known member
Medic helmet
eBay item number:
121351954466
100% ORIGINAL GERMAN WW2 ET64 STEEL COMBAT HELMET
STANDARD HEER M42 USED BY MEDIC
Great late war ND example, all original shell, liner, draw string, chin strap and rivets.
Shell painted in white with red cross,
Medics paint looks period, very dirty, scratched and rust coming through.
Inside there is standard feldgrau paint.
I guarantee authenticity of shell, chin strap, liner. and two out of three rivets(one I am not sure about, possibly later replacement, washers are missing)
German medics helmets are exceptionally rare!
I think this is one of those medic helmets we will never have to worry about. Why? Because 'the cross runs completely from side to side and from front to back'.
eBay item number:
121351954466
100% ORIGINAL GERMAN WW2 ET64 STEEL COMBAT HELMET
STANDARD HEER M42 USED BY MEDIC
Great late war ND example, all original shell, liner, draw string, chin strap and rivets.
Shell painted in white with red cross,
Medics paint looks period, very dirty, scratched and rust coming through.
Inside there is standard feldgrau paint.
I guarantee authenticity of shell, chin strap, liner. and two out of three rivets(one I am not sure about, possibly later replacement, washers are missing)
German medics helmets are exceptionally rare!
I think this is one of those medic helmets we will never have to worry about. Why? Because 'the cross runs completely from side to side and from front to back'.
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M45
Well-known member
Normandy Camouflage M40 Helmet REVISITED
Normandy Camouflage M40 Helmet Revisited
The helmet on post#89 once selling on Gunbroker for $3200 is now on Ebay for $5500.
WW2 German Luftwaffe M42 Normandy Camouflage Helmet Or Luftwaffe Camouflage
Price:
US $5,500.00
eBay item number:
201111121102
Up for auction is a beautiful and original German M42 Luftwaffe camouflage or Normandy camouflage helmet. The helmet is in very good condition. It's a beautiful collector piece. Has the original liner too! Has number 57 on it. The liner also has P. Ullrich 16 Pz . Jag . Rgt. I believe that this helmet is ID'D because if that which makes you wonder. This is one of the best pieces of my collection that I'm offering for sale. You will not be disappointed with this beautiful, rare, unique, and historic piece. Thanks for looking and happy bidding.
Normandy Camouflage M40 Helmet
for $3,200.00
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=401232133
Up for auction is a very rare piece. A Normandy Camouflage M40 Helmet with original decal and liner. The liner is marked with the soldier's name and something else, It reads, P. Ullrich" then below it "16 Pz. Jaf. Rgt." The decal is in very nice condition as is the helmet. You don't find them this nice often and when you do, they're big money. If you have any questions don't hesitate to ask. Thanks for looking.
I remember watching a helmet sit on a dealer's site for a year without selling. I expected him to drop the price, but he raised it $100. I though that was strange. But for a helmet not to sell at $3200, then raise the price an extra $2300 to $5500 takes the cake.
It makes you wonder how some sellers see collectors; as sheep to be sheared. Just tell them any BS story and they will probably believe it. It reminds me of the two German helmets supposedly found together in a bunker. There was a nice story to go with it, how the two helmets were 'captured' together and all. The only problem was, I had previously owned one of those helmets and there was no connection whatsoever to the other helmet or any bunker.
It just seems that militaria collecting in general has become so flooded with fakes and with so many people milking the system (raising prices, fakery, deceit, etc) that I don't know how much longer the system can stand it. I don't know what is going to happen. What happens, for example, when droves of disappointed, burned collectors leave the hobby?
If I was going to start collecting TR medals and badges for instance (which I know next to nothing about), the last thing I would do is begin a protracted buying spree. That would be a great way to spend a bunch of $$$ and bring home a bunch of nothing. I would have to spend probably a years-long course of study just to get enough knowledge under my belt to feel comfortable navigating the flood of fakes.
EDIT: This camo style is similar to the para on post 96 from Latvia. I'll call it the 'Latvian Camo' style.
Normandy Camouflage M40 Helmet Revisited
The helmet on post#89 once selling on Gunbroker for $3200 is now on Ebay for $5500.
WW2 German Luftwaffe M42 Normandy Camouflage Helmet Or Luftwaffe Camouflage
Price:
US $5,500.00
eBay item number:
201111121102
Up for auction is a beautiful and original German M42 Luftwaffe camouflage or Normandy camouflage helmet. The helmet is in very good condition. It's a beautiful collector piece. Has the original liner too! Has number 57 on it. The liner also has P. Ullrich 16 Pz . Jag . Rgt. I believe that this helmet is ID'D because if that which makes you wonder. This is one of the best pieces of my collection that I'm offering for sale. You will not be disappointed with this beautiful, rare, unique, and historic piece. Thanks for looking and happy bidding.
Normandy Camouflage M40 Helmet
for $3,200.00
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=401232133
Up for auction is a very rare piece. A Normandy Camouflage M40 Helmet with original decal and liner. The liner is marked with the soldier's name and something else, It reads, P. Ullrich" then below it "16 Pz. Jaf. Rgt." The decal is in very nice condition as is the helmet. You don't find them this nice often and when you do, they're big money. If you have any questions don't hesitate to ask. Thanks for looking.
I remember watching a helmet sit on a dealer's site for a year without selling. I expected him to drop the price, but he raised it $100. I though that was strange. But for a helmet not to sell at $3200, then raise the price an extra $2300 to $5500 takes the cake.
It makes you wonder how some sellers see collectors; as sheep to be sheared. Just tell them any BS story and they will probably believe it. It reminds me of the two German helmets supposedly found together in a bunker. There was a nice story to go with it, how the two helmets were 'captured' together and all. The only problem was, I had previously owned one of those helmets and there was no connection whatsoever to the other helmet or any bunker.
It just seems that militaria collecting in general has become so flooded with fakes and with so many people milking the system (raising prices, fakery, deceit, etc) that I don't know how much longer the system can stand it. I don't know what is going to happen. What happens, for example, when droves of disappointed, burned collectors leave the hobby?
If I was going to start collecting TR medals and badges for instance (which I know next to nothing about), the last thing I would do is begin a protracted buying spree. That would be a great way to spend a bunch of $$$ and bring home a bunch of nothing. I would have to spend probably a years-long course of study just to get enough knowledge under my belt to feel comfortable navigating the flood of fakes.
EDIT: This camo style is similar to the para on post 96 from Latvia. I'll call it the 'Latvian Camo' style.
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M45
Well-known member
M40 normandy camo
M40 NORMANDY CAMO
German WWII M-40 single decal WH lightly spray painted 3 color Normandy camo. Large 66/58. The long part of the chinstrap is broken. Original liner to the helmet with all pins and washers unmolested.
$2350 on hold
http://www.italianwarfront.com/?page_id=9
Stunning is the only word I can use to describe this beautiful camo. It has everything a collector could want. It has what appears to be a factory big-foot heer decal. It has exotic stripes. The camo has convincing wear throughout. The components are original. Look at the detail photos of the wear. It seems to be in conjunction with the factory finish, just like we want to see them.
So, why am I not recommending that you buy this camo?
Here is where lot number research can help. The lot number of this helmet is DN506. The Q66 is rear marked above the lot number.
The last known SD HEER in the lot number list of this maker, model and series is lot# DN361, roughly corresponding to the 28 August 1943 decal drop. This series progresses to about lot# DN563 where the war apparently ended. Lot number DN506 would likely be late 1944 or 1945 production. (The changeover from side to rear Q66 marking was taking place in the DN300-DN361 range. Thus, almost all Quist M40 DN series SD Heers are side marked.)
So how did a Q M40 with this high of a lot number acquire what appears to be a factory applied Quist big-foot decal?
M40 NORMANDY CAMO
German WWII M-40 single decal WH lightly spray painted 3 color Normandy camo. Large 66/58. The long part of the chinstrap is broken. Original liner to the helmet with all pins and washers unmolested.
$2350 on hold
http://www.italianwarfront.com/?page_id=9
Stunning is the only word I can use to describe this beautiful camo. It has everything a collector could want. It has what appears to be a factory big-foot heer decal. It has exotic stripes. The camo has convincing wear throughout. The components are original. Look at the detail photos of the wear. It seems to be in conjunction with the factory finish, just like we want to see them.
So, why am I not recommending that you buy this camo?
Here is where lot number research can help. The lot number of this helmet is DN506. The Q66 is rear marked above the lot number.
The last known SD HEER in the lot number list of this maker, model and series is lot# DN361, roughly corresponding to the 28 August 1943 decal drop. This series progresses to about lot# DN563 where the war apparently ended. Lot number DN506 would likely be late 1944 or 1945 production. (The changeover from side to rear Q66 marking was taking place in the DN300-DN361 range. Thus, almost all Quist M40 DN series SD Heers are side marked.)
So how did a Q M40 with this high of a lot number acquire what appears to be a factory applied Quist big-foot decal?
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mauser99
Senior Member
interesting observation. I was just looking at this helmet on I.W.F. what I didn't like before reading you post was the shot of the maker and batch code it looks like pitting under the "factory" paint ?? Not 100% sure what Im seeing but it didn't look right. There are a whole new batch of big foot fake decals that are somewhat easy to spot. But, spray a little paint over it and its much harder to see..
M45
Well-known member
M40 luftwaffe camo
M40 LUFTWAFFE CAMO
Outstanding German WWII camouflage M-40 Luftwaffe helmet Q64. Cannot read the date & size on the band is to tight and dirty but most likely a 57. Great thick 3 color camo paint job and in the beginning I believe this was a tan camo.
$2,650 on hold
http://www.italianwarfront.com/?page_id=9
This one has a nice 'neon' look to it. The liner has obviously been out at some point and presumably re-installed after the camo job. Wear patterns are somewhat impressive but still unconvincing, IMO. Another one of those camos that went through a time machine with insufficient wear or dullness to the paint. An expensive movie prop ?
M40 LUFTWAFFE CAMO
Outstanding German WWII camouflage M-40 Luftwaffe helmet Q64. Cannot read the date & size on the band is to tight and dirty but most likely a 57. Great thick 3 color camo paint job and in the beginning I believe this was a tan camo.
$2,650 on hold
http://www.italianwarfront.com/?page_id=9
This one has a nice 'neon' look to it. The liner has obviously been out at some point and presumably re-installed after the camo job. Wear patterns are somewhat impressive but still unconvincing, IMO. Another one of those camos that went through a time machine with insufficient wear or dullness to the paint. An expensive movie prop ?
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M45
Well-known member
Early M35 Luftwaffe Winter Camo
Early M35 Luftwaffe WINTER CAMO
http://ss-steel-inc.com/ss_stell_original_helmets.htm
For sale is a nice earlier M35 Luft, with ET62 shell that has the early serifed font and periods after the E and T. The lot number is 2328 and it has the un-reinforced liner band marked size 62. The band has the square chinstrap bales. I cannot make out the last digit of the date but I can see the early "Schuberth-Werke AG Braunschweig and based on the lot number I am going to estimate the date is 1937. The outside of the helmet has a heavy layer of white paint, with very clear signs of age and wear (see magnified images). Under the paint the outline of the droop-tail eagle is clearly visible. There are some remnants of the party shield visible the opposite side. Together with the helmet likely with it since WWII are a pair of red-tinted German Auer Neophan goggles with red lenses (to prevent snow blindness) that sat on the helmet, creating a distinct yellowed area on the white paint. My observation overall of this helmet is it is an unmistakably original camo, and the goggles have been with it for a very long time. My impression is a dispatch rider or sniper may have used this. It is priced at HOLD USD and includes my certificate of lifetime guarantee of authenticity.
We have another 'snow/winter camo', a style of camo that has been heavily faked over the years. While helmets with whitewash remnants are certainly available, I understand originals with a thick white paint are extremely uncommon. Most would have been converted to spring camo as the snow melted. Was this helmet captured during winter fighting, or found after the war?
Once again I am confused. What constitutes an 'unmistakably original' snow camo ? It is being sold as an obvious original, so I should be able to see that it is definitely authentic.
I am a bit embarrassed in that I cannot see this obvious originality. Someone please clue me in.
I see well distributed minor wear which is unnatural, IMO. I would have expected to see quite a bit of patina to the very top of the helmet where is was set down repeatedly. Also the fresh red rust spots are disturbing. This should be one of the biggest giveaways that a helmet is not what it appears to be. Restorers often set their helmets outside in the weather to attempt to utilize the natural aging properties of the elements. This process causes the bare steel to rust; thus the surface and bleed-through red rust. 70 year old rust has long since turned into a very dark, smooth patina.
The snow-goggles stain is unconvincing as are the overall wear patterns.
Early M35 Luftwaffe WINTER CAMO
http://ss-steel-inc.com/ss_stell_original_helmets.htm
For sale is a nice earlier M35 Luft, with ET62 shell that has the early serifed font and periods after the E and T. The lot number is 2328 and it has the un-reinforced liner band marked size 62. The band has the square chinstrap bales. I cannot make out the last digit of the date but I can see the early "Schuberth-Werke AG Braunschweig and based on the lot number I am going to estimate the date is 1937. The outside of the helmet has a heavy layer of white paint, with very clear signs of age and wear (see magnified images). Under the paint the outline of the droop-tail eagle is clearly visible. There are some remnants of the party shield visible the opposite side. Together with the helmet likely with it since WWII are a pair of red-tinted German Auer Neophan goggles with red lenses (to prevent snow blindness) that sat on the helmet, creating a distinct yellowed area on the white paint. My observation overall of this helmet is it is an unmistakably original camo, and the goggles have been with it for a very long time. My impression is a dispatch rider or sniper may have used this. It is priced at HOLD USD and includes my certificate of lifetime guarantee of authenticity.
We have another 'snow/winter camo', a style of camo that has been heavily faked over the years. While helmets with whitewash remnants are certainly available, I understand originals with a thick white paint are extremely uncommon. Most would have been converted to spring camo as the snow melted. Was this helmet captured during winter fighting, or found after the war?
Once again I am confused. What constitutes an 'unmistakably original' snow camo ? It is being sold as an obvious original, so I should be able to see that it is definitely authentic.
I am a bit embarrassed in that I cannot see this obvious originality. Someone please clue me in.
I see well distributed minor wear which is unnatural, IMO. I would have expected to see quite a bit of patina to the very top of the helmet where is was set down repeatedly. Also the fresh red rust spots are disturbing. This should be one of the biggest giveaways that a helmet is not what it appears to be. Restorers often set their helmets outside in the weather to attempt to utilize the natural aging properties of the elements. This process causes the bare steel to rust; thus the surface and bleed-through red rust. 70 year old rust has long since turned into a very dark, smooth patina.
The snow-goggles stain is unconvincing as are the overall wear patterns.
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M45
Well-known member
Luftwaffe winter camo
RARE M40 NS64 LUFTWAFFE WINTER CAMO HELMET
eBay item number: 301234598616
The helmet is marked NS64 indicating manufacture by the Vereinigte Deutsche Nikelwerke-Schwerte, Germany. The rear lot number is DN15 suggestion a production year of 1940 accord to Brian Ice’s lot data book. Most winter camo’s you see online are post war fakes as white paint is easy enough to come by and a lot of these were painted in the 1950′s and 60′s when they still weren’t worth very much however this one has made me a believer as the surface patina and wear marks are completely random in nature and the paint itself is showing a lot of signs of natural aging and oxidization. Based on the midnight blue paint on the inside I would assume that this is a Luftwaffe helmet and not a Heer however the inside paint is rather aged and extremely dark so it could just be a dark gray green color as well.
There are generally two types of white camo helmets original to WW2. The first is called white wash and was a type of milk based paint or a calcium carbonate type of formula so that it could be easiest removed with some light scrubbing once the snow had melted and surface conditions changed. The white wash helmets rarely have more than 40% of their original white wash paint still visible and are generally very faded and chalky looking. The other type is a general white house paint type which would have been whatever the typical French, Belgian, Dutch or German household would have had and is much more permanent and stable in nature as it was not water soluble. I believe this helmet to have the later house paint style of while paint possibly enamel based or oil based as they would have used during the 1940's in Europe.
Some collectors are afraid to buy from me because they know I also restore helmets as well as sell original ones so there is always that doubt there at time. However I can assure you that I did no such thing to this helmet and performed no post war work on it whatsoever and it remains exactly as I received it.
BIDDING STARTS AT $1 WITH NO PREMATURE AUCTION ENDINGS SO THIS IS RUNNING RIGHT TO THE END!!!
28 BIDS TO $550 with 12 minutes left. It went to $785.
RARE M40 NS64 LUFTWAFFE WINTER CAMO HELMET
eBay item number: 301234598616
The helmet is marked NS64 indicating manufacture by the Vereinigte Deutsche Nikelwerke-Schwerte, Germany. The rear lot number is DN15 suggestion a production year of 1940 accord to Brian Ice’s lot data book. Most winter camo’s you see online are post war fakes as white paint is easy enough to come by and a lot of these were painted in the 1950′s and 60′s when they still weren’t worth very much however this one has made me a believer as the surface patina and wear marks are completely random in nature and the paint itself is showing a lot of signs of natural aging and oxidization. Based on the midnight blue paint on the inside I would assume that this is a Luftwaffe helmet and not a Heer however the inside paint is rather aged and extremely dark so it could just be a dark gray green color as well.
There are generally two types of white camo helmets original to WW2. The first is called white wash and was a type of milk based paint or a calcium carbonate type of formula so that it could be easiest removed with some light scrubbing once the snow had melted and surface conditions changed. The white wash helmets rarely have more than 40% of their original white wash paint still visible and are generally very faded and chalky looking. The other type is a general white house paint type which would have been whatever the typical French, Belgian, Dutch or German household would have had and is much more permanent and stable in nature as it was not water soluble. I believe this helmet to have the later house paint style of while paint possibly enamel based or oil based as they would have used during the 1940's in Europe.
Some collectors are afraid to buy from me because they know I also restore helmets as well as sell original ones so there is always that doubt there at time. However I can assure you that I did no such thing to this helmet and performed no post war work on it whatsoever and it remains exactly as I received it.
BIDDING STARTS AT $1 WITH NO PREMATURE AUCTION ENDINGS SO THIS IS RUNNING RIGHT TO THE END!!!
28 BIDS TO $550 with 12 minutes left. It went to $785.
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