anton67 Posted December 13, 2014 Share #1 Posted December 13, 2014 I started this thread because one of our members from France took a run of the mill M1 and by stripping off a coat of paint resurrected a Medic lid. My hat is off to him. So I decided to start a thread where you can show off your restored helmets. Please try to show before and after pics. Here is my project to start off. It was posted a while back. It is a D Loop that the soldier's kid had painted gold back in the 50s. I stripped off the gold and this is how it looks now. I am adding the link for anyone who would like more photos. http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/204613-d-loop-how-am-i-doing/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anton67 Posted December 13, 2014 Author Share #2 Posted December 13, 2014 more Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan2243 Posted December 14, 2014 Share #3 Posted December 14, 2014 Great restoration! but I have none to show for myself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FSBE Posted December 14, 2014 Share #4 Posted December 14, 2014 Disappointing that an M2 helmet out of all things was painted gold. A great restoration of an amazing helmet! Now here's my only one. It was a 41 FS FB with a Dark OD repaint hiding some PTO doctor markings. I was disappointed with the quality of markings as they were faded off for the most part, but they are present nonetheless. Only before pic I have is of the helmet with a partially uncovered circle on the front of the lid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FSBE Posted December 14, 2014 Share #5 Posted December 14, 2014 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FSBE Posted December 14, 2014 Share #6 Posted December 14, 2014 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WW2JAKE Posted December 14, 2014 Share #7 Posted December 14, 2014 i guess i have one even though it was just loose repaint coming off... how i received it... obvious something was there and the paint was falling off... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WW2JAKE Posted December 14, 2014 Share #8 Posted December 14, 2014 after the majority of the loose paint came off, ww2 staff sergeant chevrons and a green leader stripe across the back (theres a name on the loose over paint which i have done my best to keep) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
usaaf93 Posted December 14, 2014 Share #9 Posted December 14, 2014 Hello Thanks anton67 ! Great idea to start this thread and nice restored helmets so far ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burning Hazard Posted December 14, 2014 Share #10 Posted December 14, 2014 My 2nd LT M1 helmet markings discovered underneath post-war layer of paint. Matched it with an original 2nd LT liner. Pat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan2243 Posted December 14, 2014 Share #11 Posted December 14, 2014 Great job on all these restorations! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasonm Posted December 14, 2014 Share #12 Posted December 14, 2014 Here are a few of mine: Medic helmet id'd to a D Day vet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasonm Posted December 14, 2014 Share #13 Posted December 14, 2014 3 panel medic id'd Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasonm Posted December 14, 2014 Share #14 Posted December 14, 2014 4th Inf Div liner used as advertising for the movie "The Steel Helmet" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasonm Posted December 14, 2014 Share #15 Posted December 14, 2014 Navy helmet with Chaplain Cross and also marked REP 5 UNIT G. Shows the multiple uses of this helmet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasonm Posted December 14, 2014 Share #16 Posted December 14, 2014 Rear of helmet with Chaplain Cross Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1canpara Posted December 14, 2014 Share #17 Posted December 14, 2014 Here's one of my best finds and the restoration is ongoing....I knew even when I saw the poor quality photos on eBay that there was something worthwhile about this helmet. When it arrived, I knew it was going to be a good day! ...327th GIR markings were visible just under the overpaint. It's been slow going, but I don't want to screw it up. There's also some lettering above the spades that I can't quite figure out yet. Rick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1canpara Posted December 14, 2014 Share #18 Posted December 14, 2014 ...and a close up of the letters above the spade....GID? GIR?....anyone else have any guesses or educated bets? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David D Posted December 14, 2014 Share #19 Posted December 14, 2014 Good gosh! I dream of getting finds like that, Rick -Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FSBE Posted December 14, 2014 Share #20 Posted December 14, 2014 Going to work on this one probably today. Before pic here for reference Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FSBE Posted December 14, 2014 Share #21 Posted December 14, 2014 Disappointed to report that nothing of interest was found underneath the repaint besides tape residue leftover on the front and back of the lid. It has a liner with a repaint so maybe I'll go at that one too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
usaaf93 Posted December 14, 2014 Share #22 Posted December 14, 2014 Too bad for you. You can't always win unfortunately. It is part of the game. Maybe an other time.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FSBE Posted December 14, 2014 Share #23 Posted December 14, 2014 definitely too bad! At least it's back to its original finish. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anton67 Posted December 14, 2014 Author Share #24 Posted December 14, 2014 Nice helmets everyone. This is why I started the thread. Someone suggested that stripping destroyed the helmet. I completely disagree. This thread shows how we RESTORED helmets back to their original condition. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FSBE Posted December 15, 2014 Share #25 Posted December 15, 2014 Anton67- What exactly did you use to strip the paint off of your M2 Helmet? it seemed to do a very clean job. I've been using Xylol to remove paint from my lids and it definitely doesn't extract paint as well as the stuff you're using. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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