30-Cal Posted October 18, 2017 Share #1 Posted October 18, 2017 I don't know a lot about helmets, but I know a lot of you guys do! Is this one real or a fantasy piece? Anything else you can tell me about it? What era, originality, etc. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huntssurplus Posted October 18, 2017 Share #2 Posted October 18, 2017 If the liner is original to the shell then I would guess 50’s era but the markings look really new and fresh if you have a picture closer to the markings that would help. Hunt Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burning Hazard Posted October 18, 2017 Share #3 Posted October 18, 2017 I like what I see, any more pictures of the helmet, particularly the markings? The pouches look like British/Canadian P37 and the leather liner chinstrap might be an Euro Clone. Pat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
38Driver Posted October 18, 2017 Share #4 Posted October 18, 2017 Looks like the chin strap has metal clips on it as well Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
30-Cal Posted October 18, 2017 Author Share #5 Posted October 18, 2017 If the liner is original to the shell then I would guess 50’s era but the markings look really new and fresh if you have a picture closer to the markings that would help. Hunt Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Thanks, I don't have any more pictures. I saw the helmet for sale locally. The seller is asking $125 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huntssurplus Posted October 18, 2017 Share #6 Posted October 18, 2017 Thanks, I don't have any more pictures. I saw the helmet for sale locally. The seller is asking $125 If the markings are original then its definitly worth it. Hunt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
30-Cal Posted October 18, 2017 Author Share #7 Posted October 18, 2017 This is tricky for me because I've never gotten into collecting helmets. Basically for the same reason I don't buy K98s. There is just so much to know, so many details, so many fakes. I've read a bunch of threads in this forum over the years and have been awed at the amount of info and nuance you helmet guys know so you don't get burned. if I go over to take a look at it, what should I look for? I know for a ww2 the seam should be in the front it should have fixed bails, and that's about it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huntssurplus Posted October 18, 2017 Share #8 Posted October 18, 2017 This is tricky for me because I've never gotten into collecting helmets. Basically for the same reason I don't buy K98s. There is just so much to know, so many details, so many fakes. I've read a bunch of threads in this forum over the years and have been awed at the amount of info and nuance you helmet guys know so you don't get burned. if I go over to take a look at it, what should I look for? I know for a ww2 the seam should be in the front it should have fixed bails, and that's about it. Not neccesarily, Front seam and fixed bailed helmets are the earliest version of the M1. Front seam with swivel bails was introduced in 1943, and rear seam swivel bails were introduced in late 1944. In my opinion the most common ww2 m1 you see on ebay is front seam swivel bail although fixed bails are worth more and are more sought after. When you look at the helmet look at the markings closely and look for things like paint cracks and scratches, as well as rust going over the markings. Without a name or other definitive proof it is almost impossible to know 100% that the helmet is original with markings. Looking at the markings under a microscope can also help you determine if the markings are original. To be honest though $125 aint bad for the helmet without the markings, so if you end up buying it and it seems like the markings aren't original, you are only really loosing $20 or $30 dollars. Hunt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burning Hazard Posted October 18, 2017 Share #9 Posted October 18, 2017 When you have it in hand, take a good look at the MP markings and the side 9th air force insignia. See if it looks fresh or not, look for regular wear on the insignia (tiny cracking in the paint), also see if it's been smeared with anything. Use your best judgement, if your gut tells you something is off then go with that initial thought rather than overthink it. From here, the helmet looks like a WW2 produced front seam swivel bail that's been re-purposed into 50's and 60's, very common to see this. If original, I'd take it in a heartbeat for $125. Pat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patches Posted October 20, 2017 Share #10 Posted October 20, 2017 But if this is a shell for the 1950s Air Force, would it not say AP for Air Police rather than the MP for WWII Air Corp? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now