Gear Fanatic Posted September 28 Share #1 Posted September 28 hey all, recently I have been refurbishing shells ( paint, straps, emblems, ETC.) for some local friends and reenactors and realized that I could possibly market this service. I know that there are companies like Jmurry and Top pots but Jmurray doesn't do insignia/emblems and to top pots does but they seem to be inconsistant time wise, plus they are expensive even for basic refurbishment, maybe a more affordable option may be of use to reenactors. do you think this would have a hold in the militaria community or is this just a fantasy. I mix my own paint and color match to mint original helmets, I research and hand paint or make custom stencils based off the specifications. and weather and apply the correct texturing wear and patina consistent with the job.what do you guys think? and if you or anyone you know might be interested let me know. Gear fan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gear Fanatic Posted October 3 Author Share #2 Posted October 3 (Bump) hopefully someone has some insight! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justin Posted October 3 Share #3 Posted October 3 Do you have any photos of your work? This has always been a mixed opinion topic. Some collectors don't touch refurbished helmets and have don't like that it happens, at all.. with some even being labeled as helmet fakers, even though they are not hiding the fact they are refurbished. The problems being these helmets COULD and most of the time do get sold as original, and unfortunately do sell for high dollar, even when they are obviously not original, which gives the hobby a bad name. I'm on the fence with it, I don't see a issue owning a refurbished helmet personal, and I do own a refurbished M2 helmet (as I can't afford an original.) If you ask me, the surplus of shells and liners is drying up. 5 - 10 years ago the supply was dry IMO. So I imagine it's even harder now to get qaulity helmet shells and liner molds. As a Vietnam era collector, I have seen lots of really nice 1960s period recycled helmets (front & rear seam McCords and schlueters with their original Vietnam era paint texture and chinstraps and patina used so they can be made into refurbished WWII helmets, most the time the results are bad. Someone who wants a WWII helmet might not care but the helmet still holds collector value in that state. There's already plenty of services out there that restore helmets. So if you were to do it I would suggest only by request, and if someone wants to send you a higher qaulity helmet that still has collector value, I would decline the job. In my opinion it would be OK for small projects by request, but I do not see it as a business opportunity. Would like to hear other opinions. Justin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bodes Posted October 3 Share #4 Posted October 3 Like any business adventure, you should determine what items you will need to stock up on and potentially how much "overhead" there could be with your entrepreneurial endeavor.....IF most if not all your supplies are readily accessible, your overhead should be minimal and therefore your adventure being of minimal risk.....Would also be wise to determine how much of a work load you can or want to handle should this thing take off.....You may want to do a litmus test and attend a function(s) where reenactors are known to hang out....Hand out flyers that inform them of your services and see how things go from there....Best of Luck, Bodes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marshallj Posted October 3 Share #5 Posted October 3 58 minutes ago, Bodes said: Like any business adventure, you should determine what items you will need to stock up on and potentially how much "overhead" there could be with your entrepreneurial endeavor.....IF most if not all your supplies are readily accessible, your overhead should be minimal and therefore your adventure being of minimal risk.....Would also be wise to determine how much of a work load you can or want to handle should this thing take off.....You may want to do a litmus test and attend a function(s) where reenactors are known to hang out....Hand out flyers that inform them of your services and see how things go from there....Best of Luck, Bodes Bodes is correct. With any business you need to determine the demand before you invest too much into it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gear Fanatic Posted October 3 Author Share #6 Posted October 3 I would mainly focus on shells and accurate color matching and insignia, Medic, airborne, Etc. I have marked all the helmets I have done as FAKE on the on the inside with an angle grinder so nobody can resell it as I don’t want to poison the hobby. I totally understand your viewpoint on ref it this hung shells. I would also only do commissions and I would only accept legitimate restoration candidates. I was also going to make an option for Norwegian helmets for people who can’t afford it or don’t have an original to send in.I only have one picture if my first helmet which is kinda bad and I am currently making it a medic M1 as a commission. This would be a side gig as J need to save up for school events and J already have a job, just trying to bring in some extra money, hello people out and do something I enjoy. Thank you for your input! more opinions welcome! Gear fan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gear Fanatic Posted October 3 Author Share #7 Posted October 3 I have already had significant interests from younger reactors (15-18) who can’t afford J Murray so I have been doing it off request. I am prepared to take a decent workload. I would only focus on a shells because that requires minimal supplies compared to both liners and shells. Cork is cheep and chinstraps aren’t to expensive and would be covered by the buyer. I was thinking of running About 50 bucks for a full repaint and 1 unique insignia and then price would add up from there if chinstraps needed replacement, extra insignia would be 5 dollars each and for medics there would be a discount. I understand there are people on a budget that can’t go blowing 150 bucks on a basic repaint. Gear fan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gear Fanatic Posted October 3 Author Share #8 Posted October 3 What do ya’ll think here is one I just painted before weathering Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CavalryCombatant Posted October 3 Share #9 Posted October 3 Did you repaint the entire shell on that one or is that the original factory paint? I really like how you did the markings on it, looks great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gear Fanatic Posted October 3 Author Share #10 Posted October 3 Repainted and retextured entirely, my recipe paint color is matched to an original 1944 Shlueter in mint condition. Everything is completely redone. The weathering between the AAAO and the medical marking are off as I painted the AAAO earlier this year. Thank you for the complement! If anyone has some insight into the business aspect I would love some input! Gear Fan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gear Fanatic Posted October 4 Author Share #11 Posted October 4 Here is the finished product of my latest commission, A 39th IR combat medic helmet. All weathered and ready to be shipped! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BG 612 Posted October 6 Share #12 Posted October 6 Wow, you do really good work! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gear Fanatic Posted October 6 Author Share #13 Posted October 6 Thanks! If your interested I am doing paintwork commissions till I can get proper equipment to fully restore a shell. ( as in fixing bales and sewing chinstraps) thanks for the compliment! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Rooster Posted Monday at 08:11 PM Share #14 Posted Monday at 08:11 PM On 10/6/2024 at 1:44 PM, Gear Fanatic said: Thanks! If your interested I am doing paintwork commissions till I can get proper equipment to fully restore a shell. ( as in fixing bales and sewing chinstraps) thanks for the compliment! I hope you are taking a Dremmel Tool and marking the steel inside so that years down the road, people, novice collectors, don't shell out big bucks for one of your "Refurbishments".... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gear Fanatic Posted Monday at 08:58 PM Author Share #15 Posted Monday at 08:58 PM I said in an above post I have been doing that. Thanks for the insight rooster👍 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gear Fanatic Posted 8 hours ago Author Share #16 Posted 8 hours ago SO I have thought this over and decided to fully commit, Currently I am building a website with my contact info, previous work, and other stuff. I am using Google sites as that's the only completely free option, it's also pretty user friendly as it's similar to Docs and slides which I use for school pretty frequently. I will probably launch towards the end of the year as I need to get some inventory going. I will take some of the advice to advertise at reenactor events and online so hopefully that will bring in some business. spreading it on social media and stuff soon to get traffic until I make it official. Thanks all for the advise and consideration. USMF never dissapoints! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gerard Posted 7 hours ago Share #17 Posted 7 hours ago good evening very nice work at what are your prices and send you to France Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gear Fanatic Posted 1 hour ago Author Share #18 Posted 1 hour ago PM me If you want more info! I I will send internationally. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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