jbassmaster18 Posted June 12, 2013 Share #1 Posted June 12, 2013 I always wanted a "Captain Miller" helmet ever since I saw saving private ryan as a kid. I also reenact the 2nd rangers, so this was on my "to do list" I found a cheap fixed bail shell and MINT liner for $40, ande sat on it for years. It looked like this: I then decided on a rainy day, to start restoring it. After stripping the layers of paint, I discovered it a Schluter shell with NO cracks!! Repainted it, re corked it and hand applied the markings: I also dug around in my box and found one khaki chinstrap and M1helmetdepot.com had the side I was missing. I had my buddy bar tack them on like an original (though I made sure to tell him to make it so it wont pass for real) then had him weather it. I LOVE it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbassmaster18 Posted June 12, 2013 Author Share #2 Posted June 12, 2013 and the after: Here it is on display: So the ONLY repro part is the leather chinstrap, (wich if someone has a beat up original I'd be interested) Im glad I invested the time and money in this instead of one from At the front. This was not made to fool anyone as being real, just fulfilling a childhood "dream" What do you all think?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bellasilva Posted June 13, 2013 Share #3 Posted June 13, 2013 Sweet! SPR is what got me into collecting, great job! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texas36th Posted June 13, 2013 Share #4 Posted June 13, 2013 Good job I like it . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Screamingeagles101 Posted June 13, 2013 Share #5 Posted June 13, 2013 Very nice ! However, because it was a schlueter fixed bail, I think I would have left it, they are pretty rare. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbassmaster18 Posted June 13, 2013 Author Share #6 Posted June 13, 2013 Well I didn't realize that untill it was stripped. Even if it wasn't it was all rusted and crappy. Don't think I hurt the value Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P-40Warhawk Posted June 13, 2013 Share #7 Posted June 13, 2013 You did a nice job. Not to take away from the effort or anything, but I wouldn't call that a "restoration" since it has lost everything original save the metal shell. And it looks like it was a pretty decent example, It doesn't appear to have been rusted out or anything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SergeantMajorGray Posted June 13, 2013 Share #8 Posted June 13, 2013 Not hating on your helmet here but why couldn't you just buy one of these off ebay since there is a ton on there. You destroyed all the value this helmet had which was at least $200. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbassmaster18 Posted June 13, 2013 Author Share #9 Posted June 13, 2013 As i already said, I didn't realize it was a rare shell untill the 5 layers of reprints and surface rust were removed from the inside of the shell. And I made this because that's what I wanted to do. If you think I ruined it that's just your .02. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bugme Posted June 13, 2013 Share #10 Posted June 13, 2013 $200 for a fixed loop Schlueter with multiple repaints missing one strap? I think that's a bit of a stretch. Maybe $50 to $75 You destroyed all the value this helmet had which was at least $200. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigDogMilitaria Posted June 13, 2013 Share #11 Posted June 13, 2013 I like it, and you if you like it, thats all the matters, this hobby is about what makes you happy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghost Posted June 13, 2013 Share #12 Posted June 13, 2013 I like it, and you if you like it, thats all the matters, this hobby is about what makes you happy. Couldn't have said it better myself Nice job!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRR Posted June 13, 2013 Share #13 Posted June 13, 2013 Pretty cool in my book and looks good. Nice job! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BriansBricks Posted June 13, 2013 Share #14 Posted June 13, 2013 Looks great, the aging on the paint was done very well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted June 13, 2013 Share #15 Posted June 13, 2013 Nicely done...makes a good display piece. No harm in re-cycling an old shell like that. You've given it a new lease of life. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SergeantMajorGray Posted June 13, 2013 Share #16 Posted June 13, 2013 $200 for a fixed loop Schlueter with multiple repaints missing one strap? I think that's a bit of a stretch. Maybe $50 to $75 I didn't see it was missing a strap and I thought it had a light repaint. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
medic_44 Posted June 14, 2013 Share #17 Posted June 14, 2013 Nice job! Tell me please how did you age the shell? Especially the white markings on the back of the helmet. Looking good to me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbassmaster18 Posted June 15, 2013 Author Share #18 Posted June 15, 2013 I wish I could tell you!! I had a buddy do it. He charged me $75 and spent about a week on it. I asked him how he did it and he wouldn't tell me!! It is sexy though isn't it??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
medic_44 Posted June 18, 2013 Share #19 Posted June 18, 2013 Yep, that is a real combat worn look I must say but $75 it's pretty high price anyway... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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