RememberThe5thESB Posted August 4, 2018 Share #1 Posted August 4, 2018 About 2 years I ago I came across a shell for 18 bucks at an antique store, I got it and brought it back home. During this time I was absolutely infatuated with reenacting, and wanted a nice helmet for doing such things, that and in my mind, restoration was a GOOD thing for steel pots... So very regrettably I sand blasted it and stripped the paint. Since then I've painted it, twice, only to strip two more times. At this point I don't know quite what to do with it. But I am considering mocking it up as a 5TH ESB shell out of respect for a veteran, whom I may not of known, but still respect greatly. I was wondering if anyone thinks this is a good idea or not (To say the least I don't have plans on selling it if I do this, and my painting skills surely aren't that great.) I would greatly appreciate your opinions, and if possible what would be the best shades of paint for it? Especially the gold in the insignia. Thanks. Sent from my SM-J327V using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RA 65-68 Posted August 4, 2018 Share #2 Posted August 4, 2018 In Vietnam, I put water in it and used it for shaving more than anything else. Sometimes I used it to prop my head up when I was lying on the ground. So other than cleaning it up and putting on your shelf I don't know what use it can be to you. I think they used the same one during WW II so I guess you could paint an officer's or NCO's insignia on the front of it or a "Born to kill" or peace symbol on it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
No Quarter Posted August 4, 2018 Share #3 Posted August 4, 2018 I saw this recently and thought it was awesome. You could use it for a lamp, I thought about buying a crappy helmet shell to do this with. Jacob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RA 65-68 Posted August 4, 2018 Share #4 Posted August 4, 2018 I saw this recently and thought it was awesome. You could use it for a lamp, I thought about buying a crappy helmet shell to do this with. Jacob Better to use an M-16 replica as its staff with bayonet pointed down in honour of the men who didn't come home ...... with or without the light bulb. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RememberThe5thESB Posted August 4, 2018 Author Share #5 Posted August 4, 2018 Agreed. My dad actually took a liner, put a hole in the top of it and rigged it to fit on a lamp in my room... But I just so happened to have too many helmets without liners... One of my helmets may and or may not have a hole in the top. I will say too it is a WW2 shell, Schlueter actually. Which is what bugs me most about stripping it. And with the M16 for a base.. I wonder what one with a lightbulb coming out of the buttstock looks like? Sent from my SM-J327V using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RA 65-68 Posted August 4, 2018 Share #6 Posted August 4, 2018 Sounds good to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cap Camouflage Pattern I Posted August 4, 2018 Share #7 Posted August 4, 2018 Cheapest option for a Vietnam era M16 I'm aware of is the well 16a airsoft gun, it's not a perfect replica by any means, many issues, but pretty close and looks good with a bit of touch up and some paint. They can be had for as cheap as $15 + shipping. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RememberThe5thESB Posted August 4, 2018 Author Share #8 Posted August 4, 2018 I like the idea, but I might do that with a post war shell I've got. If anything I'm wondering you guys think about redoing the shell as 5th ESB. I just wanted to make sure here if I did, and eventually if I were to sell it that it was documented here. As after reading a thread here last night about a particular person I've taken a new view somewhat on helmet collecting. Painted shells in particular. I just wanted to get some approval here for the idea, since I don't want to accidently supply someone something to wear down and try to pass off as original later down the road. I know this is sort of off topic, but I'm only a 15 year old collector trying to learn as much as I can, and have only been collecting seriously for really 3 years now. I've barely been a member for more than a month (active member) and have learned a lot from all of you. I really appreciate the opinions here, and would love to hear more! As always I appreciate the help greatly! Thank you! Sent from my SM-J327V using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JasonT Posted August 4, 2018 Share #9 Posted August 4, 2018 My opinion is is that it's your helmet to do with what you'd like. So if you want to paint it, go for it. As you mentioned, the problems occur when the helmet is either sold or traded to someone else down the road. There are a lot of people out there who aren't honest and painted helmets in my opinion can be a dangerous field to get into unless you are extremely knowledgeable and experienced, as I'm sure you've already learned. Even if you are up front with a buyer or another collector who you hand the helmet off to, who's to say they will do the same? Or if 3rd or 4th owner down the line will be as honest? Best you can do is as you suggested - document it and post it on the forum. Maybe you can even mark the inside of the shell somehow to note it as being a repro. If you're really worried about it, the only other option is to just hold onto it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RememberThe5thESB Posted August 4, 2018 Author Share #10 Posted August 4, 2018 Thank you, I really appreciate that. The more I think about it the more I realize what to do with it. I think I'm going to repaint it. Due to this I think I'm going to add some fail safes to it in case in ever comes into the wrong hands. I'm thinking about painting a date inside the shell of when I finish redoing it. So what I'll ask is this, do any of you know of any paint out there that is extremely durable and hard to remove? Thanks. Sent from my SM-J327V using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JasonT Posted August 4, 2018 Share #11 Posted August 4, 2018 Not aware of any paint that someone down the line couldn't remove, but another idea might be to stamp the inside? May be something a jeweler could do for you? Might be the most fail safe option Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RememberThe5thESB Posted August 4, 2018 Author Share #12 Posted August 4, 2018 I've got access to a lot of shop equipment, it wouldn't be impossible to create a makeshift die.. And when it comes to the paint, I was thinking that as one of multiple things I would add to it just incase, along with other kinds of markings. If anything this shell was tampered with in the past before I got it. (Parts where someone tried to weld it but it melted through, slay, etc. I think it may have been military though as the paint on the shell was entirely original.) Sent from my SM-J327V using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cap Camouflage Pattern I Posted August 4, 2018 Share #13 Posted August 4, 2018 I can't be sure based on the photos, but it appears to be a rear seam with "apple green" colored paint, which would make it a 60s era helmet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RA 65-68 Posted August 4, 2018 Share #14 Posted August 4, 2018 ...... do any of you know of any paint out there that is extremely durable and hard to remove? Thanks. Sent from my SM-J327V using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RememberThe5thESB Posted August 4, 2018 Author Share #15 Posted August 4, 2018 No, no, I added that in my first repaint. I took whatever paint I could get that was labeled army green. It is a late war Schlueter, 506 B, S right below it. Sent from my SM-J327V using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RememberThe5thESB Posted August 4, 2018 Author Share #16 Posted August 4, 2018 {style_image_url}/attachicon.gif hammerite-high-heat-paint-aerosol-spray-paint-400ml-matt-black-L-876273-2325261_1.jpgAlright, thanks! I'll look around for it. Sent from my SM-J327V using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RememberThe5thESB Posted August 4, 2018 Author Share #17 Posted August 4, 2018 Sorry for the poor photos Cap, I can't keep my arm steady if my life depended on it! Sent from my SM-J327V using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RA 65-68 Posted August 4, 2018 Share #18 Posted August 4, 2018 ..... I took whatever paint I could get that was labeled army green ..... "Olive drab". BS381-298 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RememberThe5thESB Posted August 4, 2018 Author Share #19 Posted August 4, 2018 Thanks for letting me know about that! Sent from my SM-J327V using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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