With the new pictures I see what you mean with your camera, it made the paint look a lot more vibrant and glossy, the new pictures look a lot better. I think it was refurbished for occupation duty as nothing would explain the glossy look, except extreme use, but I don’t see the characteristics for that. No doubt it’s legit, just pinpointing the timeframe is the real question now.

That is awesome Marty, and what some awesome research!

This thing sits on a local road near my house . Just wondering exactly what It Is . Thanks guys 

You can see where the oak leaves were affixed.   At best it’s his combat helmet repainted post war.    At first glance I thought 1960s looking at the first picture.   How are the chinstraps attached?  

I am using my example and others that I have held or seen on the various site on the computer. To me, the material of the first example looks to be synthetic or 'newer' to me.

Who had it?   Is there a before photo of it?   Are they going to have a permanent location to see it?   It looks like the type of sign that’s at the village boundary announcing you’re entering StME.     

These are more accurate photos showing the actual color using a different camera without flash.  Its a lot darker than the ones I took outside with flash.  The paint is very worn especially on the crown where it is worn down to the metal.  As I mentioned the liner is painted red and has the name "Paul" on the front.  I suspect Major Cooper had a son named Paul who really loved to play with his dad's helmet and worn down the paint and gave it a more shiny look and also knocked off the major's oakleaf.  If I can track down his name on any of the unit rosters I might be able to verify his service dates to see if he even served during the occupation.  If it was painted after the war it wouldn't make much sense to add a follow me bar.  Just my opinion, this is his wartime helmet.

So, I have had this since 2022. It was by sheer luck and a huge gamble of even what it was I was bidding on. As far as I can tell it turned out in my favor! I was hoping for input from the more knowledgeable to possibly confirm my thoughts! I know the owners name from the Estate Sale I won the bid from; graduated High School around 1960-61 probably then enlisted in the Army. Served in Vietnam as a medic and I have a picture of him wearing 5th SF uniform. Owner of knife lived in PA.       So, if anyone has any input on the knife and possibly help with info on the owner, I can supply his name, Please!!!   Thanks in Advance,   Mark    

. just had an evening meal with Johan and six of his Belgian friends,  it started honking down with rain before we got our desserts. A quick goodbye for the night on the car park.    Norman D. Landing, Forum Normandy Correspondent, June 03   2O25. 

I know this wasn't posted for an evaluation; At a cursory glance I really like this one though, and look forward to seeing more pictures.  I'm in the occupation crowd with it, in a good way.