Questionable M36/M37/M38 para helmets

[M45]

Questionable m36/m37/m38 para helmets

In my opinion, this M37 is a well crafted fake. Although much about this helmet appears good (paint, shape of shell, slots, and rim mark) other aspects do not conform to known originals (the liner assembly missing padding, the range and font of the lot number - 335, and the font of the ET68 mark). I recently noticed that the ET decal looks fake as well, in addition to the rimroll score line being too shallow.

The 1937 dome stamp is just what is expected, but it appears a bit too fresh.

While crafting this replica, it was probably assumed that a three digit lot number would represent very early production and thus a good choice for this 'M37'. But ET lot number ranges for 1937 are in the 3000-3600 range. Surviving M37s are in the 3000-3200 range. So lot# 335 on this helmet does not fit with known originals. And as mentioned, the font of the numbers does not match exactly with the font that Thale was using.

The price on this was about $4300, quite the bargain if real, but a real ding in the wallet otherwise.

 

[iron bender]

Not that it will ever happen, but if I were presented with a fallschirm-infantarie helmet such as this, by any collector or by anyone with a little too much knowledge of 3R items, I'd be hesitant and insist that every well known helmet guy look at it before considering buying. That's on the extreme end of rarity in my opinion.

 

[iron bender]

And what would a real example with 1000% guaranteed provenance sell for? 15k, 20k+? This would be the beyond all holy grail of a fallschirmjager helmet, putting any SS helmet to shame in rarity. Complete, unmolested, all original, and unscathed. Wow. I guess I need to dig out Eric Queen's book….

 

[M45]

Original m36

Original M36 from a German dealer. It was the first model of para helmet made in 1936. It was then upgraded in 1938 to M38 standards; liner/strap, and bolt arrangement. The manufacturer's stamps check out for range and font for this one. Note the 4 grommeted slots, as opposed to the two bare 2 slots on the M37.

POR: $47,000

I have not yet seen Eric Queen's book. Is it worth the money?

 

[Peter U]

Hi M45,

"I have not yet seen Eric Queen's book. Is it worth the money? "
- Short answer: NO!





P

 

[iron bender]

I apologize for referring this book. What is the better book on the Fallschirm-Infanterie Peter?

 

[Peter U]

I apologize for referring this book. What is the better book on the Fallschirm-Infanterie Peter?

Until now there isn't a good book; the EQ book is just an advertisement, a commercial published on glossy paper, like an auction catalogue, to sell his collection; it is far from a reference work.
The book is nothing more then a bunch of fancy pictures of items from his collection glued together with texts that are written by someone on a Sunday afternoon that was recovering from a hangover and on top of that there are several mistakes in it, it seems it was never proof read.


P

 

[iron bender]

So it's similar to Deutsche Soldaten.

 

[Peter U]

So it's similar to Deutsche Soldaten.

A book I don't know.



IB, did you know that EQ sold his collection a couple of years after he published the book?



P

 

[sneakerd]

No para helmet without direct and unquestionable provenance to Otto Skorzeny is worth that kind of dough.

 

[iron bender]

A book I don't know.



IB, did you know that EQ sold his collection a couple of years after he published the book?



P

Yes. I bought some of his original studio portraits. I really wish I would have kept them now. The offers on them allowed me to purchase several G41's so I couldn't decline. Some of the color and tinted portraits he had were incredible.

 

[M45]

German WW2 Fallshirmjager paratrooper helmet rare ckl with decal. The helmet was definitely a KIA battle pick up. The chinstrap ends are still present close to the bolt/nuts in the interior. Shell size 68. Great example of German paratrooper combat helmet.
$3,000

http://www.italianwarfront.com/?page_id=9

I can concur that single decal para helmets with CKL markings are rare. Here is the last one that I know of that is authentic:

M38 ckl68 2764 SD PARA SPAN ZBAND BLKFOAM STDRIM RTGG LAST KNOWN SD PARA

You will notice that the lot number of the subject helmet is 4267, well into ND territory for M38s and near the last known M38 lot number - 4336

M38 CKL68 4336 ND PARA RTGG ALBAND BLKFOAM STDRIM LAST KNOWN M38 PARA

Also, that decal looks very suspicious, as though pieces of another decal were placed on top to repair it. The eagle's head does not resemble any original decal I've ever seen.

 

[M45]

Marked on interior "22 July 1944 France"

http://www.johnnyg.westhost.com/hg1225.html

WW2 Paratrooper Helmet

WW2 German Camoflauge Paratrooper/Fallschirmjager helmet shell. Size and marker marked ET66. Marked on interior "22 July 1944 France". A great looking paratrooper shell.

Item # HG-1225

$3,800.

EDIT: A replica

 

[Ruffin]

Fake Flared-rim M38

Here's a late war M38 in a box I did a few months back. Sold on ebay. It uses a FJWerke shell, liner, and straps. Complete repro.

 

[deadeye18]

That's good artwork!
Welcome to the forum Ruffin

 

[M45]

M38 battle damaged camo

https://www.weitze.com/militaria/34...hirmjaeger_mit_Rautarnlackierung__264234.html

Weitze Militaria. 8,500 EU.

The camo appears to have been applied AFTER the battle damaged occurred.

Great work, Rex. It is handy to compare your work with the clumsy fakes that permeate this hobby.

 

[Ruffin]

Note repairs have been made to the liner and chinstrap. Other than that what's wrong with this helmet?

 

[M45]

Do you have lot# maker stamp photos ?

 

[Ruffin]

 

[M45]

Looks good to me.