Spasm

Let me know if you find any stamps - I've got Brian's Helmet Lot Number book and can look it up for you.

The helmet looks pretty original to me, I don't suppose there's any remains of the stamps? Sometimes they can be made out on relics as they nearly always have rusted away more severely on the top (Probably due to being on its top under water). It does have a few paint remains (looks apple green) but only very small.

I've had loads of relics in worse and better condition with a lot more paint intact. Only a few with makers marks and fewer with batch numbers - but I only ever had two (at most) that had any remains of decals. Although I know that the vast majority of helmets either had them removed as ordered or they never had any to start with.

I'd side with the not real team (now that I'm a complete expert with SS decals as I've done over 2 hours internet research ), but I still think it's a great item for the money spent. Put it on the shelf and enjoy it.

John

I've been sucked into this since you posted. Probably because I wanted that helmet but just forgot about it (must press the watch list button, must press the watch list button). The Walhalla forum will put you straight in a second but here's what my penny's worth.

It looks to be an M40 helmet with Type 2 runes - its pretty hard to see from the pictures surprisingly. I've handled loads of relics but obviously much easier in hand.

From a list I found of known SS decals and comparing those to yours:

It's not a "Q" decal as they are 1st type runes and there's a sharp break in the curve of the shield.

It's not an "EF" decal as again those are 1st type runes and they are mostly found on M42 helmets.

It's not an "NS/SE" champagne decal as they have a sharp break in the curve of the shield and the gap between the runes at the top is too wide.

It's not a "fat runes LAH" or a "fat runes Nordic" as yours have too wide a gap between the runes.

It's not a "Pocher" as the runes stop at a sharp break in the shield on those

It's not an "Austrian SS" as those were only on pre-war transitionals

The only match is the "ET" decal. But comparing with yours the gap from the top of the runes to the border looks to be too wide.

Obviously this is probably not a complete list as I've only just scratched the surface in the couple of hours spent.

I didn't realise what collectors do to ensure and check that theirs are correct but given the money these things bring (even the relics) you need very very deep pockets to own one.

I honestly can't see these guys missing out on such a bargain on ebay or if it was a collector allowing it to go for so little. So we're left with believing the advert that the seller didn't know what he had although he knew ebay would probably bin his advert if they had noticed the runes. I've had helmets binned even without any offending symbols on them. But, then again, I did sell an SS without knowing they could've binned it but I didn't try to hide it.

I wish you luck with this but I wouldn't hold my breath. (I would probably have still bought it though, it's just a great thing and what's a ton against something you really like)

Cheers Spaz

Ah, I saw this on ebay (I think it is the same one) and then promptly forgot all about it. Liked the way he advertised and how he took his pictures.

Can't help with the decals sorry but I'm sure someone can. Just annoyed I forgot about it.

Spaz

I like the post "do they take visa or mastercard?"

Mervyn

Your helmet came this morning - figuratively speaking.

Once I make a start I'll get going on the other channel.

Mervyn

When the helmet arrives I'll start a new thread in the GMIC Competition Forum to show all the work through to the finished piece. Now all I've got to do is think up an SA WW2 theme to base it on.

I was thinking about the Royal Natal Carabineers/1st SA Infantry Division's little fracas at Alem Hamza in June 1942 that led to Sgt Q. Smythe's VC. Nice Rgt colours and a VC to paint. Should I ask for ideas given the one already suggested?

The old guy in the back of the shop?

No worries, Chris is only pullin' my plonker - we'll go for the cage fight in his trench when I get over there (if I can get through the barbed wire and pass the searchlights without being shot).

No helmet as yet, I'll let you know when it gets here. Once I start on it I may do a show and tell as it progresses if I remember to take some pictures.

Newmex

Similarly I am also new to these campaigns and have found some books most helpful. A couple of the best (from my beginners point of view) is 'The Peninsular War Atlas' by Colonel Nick Lipscombe printed by Osprey - it's a large book that takes its readers through the war and battles with the aid of easily read and fairly detailed large maps (helps due to the original place names not now found on Google Maps). Printed fairly recently and easily available (so good I bought another to give to the Son-in-law).

Another is by Richard Holmes called 'Redcoat' by Harper Press. Although it does cover a longer time period from the Seven year War through to the Crimea (mostly Peninsular though) it gives an excellent insight into the humdrum/terrible normal days of a soldier in the line. Full of actual letters and anecdotes from the soldiers themselves. Gives a good foundation on what it was like serving. Reads like a novel and fair whizzes along.

Other basic books are the excellent Osprey softback books on Weliington's Tactics, Wellington's Army etc etc fairly easily available on t'tinternet and another I've found (if you are interested) is the first complete illustrated guide to British uniforms in the Peninsular called 'British Napoleonic Uniforms' by CE Franklin printed by Spellmount.

Those should keep you busy for a bit.

Spaz

Colourful one for the French

Marabout

Thanks for the info. I've now found Tim's various websites and contacts and we'll see from here.

Never really spoken with a Major before, more used to Corporals and Staffs at the extreme, I'd best shine me trainers up.

Spaz

All

Just had a look through this again and noticed that none of the links to family tree stuff work anymore. Sorry, she's building me a webpage to sell my stuff on so it'll only take you there (nothing on yet, still a work in progress). I've obviously insisted on a link to this forum.

Mervyn, thanks for the praise but still an awful lot to do to get a fuller picture. I'm pretty sure of our Hero's travels now, I'll get it all together at some point and mark up a few maps. I need to get that done before I book some travelling but still need to get some more details of the actual battles themselves. I also need to visit Kew to get muster roles etc.

Spaz

Marabout

Thanks for all of that. How great that these things are still in people's thoughts.

I'm still doing a lot of digging around to get a bit of their history together so that I can spend a couple of weeks in the 39th's footsteps and travel their paths in the Peninsula. Take lots of photos and write something up based on their travels. I'll never be able to get the Canada and US bits in while Simon Fussy was with them but I'll get the majority. May even do some big impressive artwork stuff to bring it alive.

Is there any chance you can let us know some dates and whether it would be ok to attend these ceremonies. Here's the webpage of the film of the ceremony when they were hung in the 1920s (I think) in Sherbourne http://www.britishpathe.com/video/the-old-39th-cuts/query/Abbey and it would be great to see a similar event now.

Fantastic, thankyou

Spaz

Linas

It's a Spanish Red Cross Order (Orden de la Cruz Roja Española). ‘IN HOC SIG - - NO SALUS’ is "in this sign, health" the motto of the Spanish Red Cross which was one of the earliest national societies, founded in 1864.

They also have crowns instead of castles which may indicate differing classes or area but I 'spect you can find more on t'tinternet now you know what it is.

Try here

http://www.vyznamenani.net/?page_id=365

You can translate with Bing unless you know the language - it gives sizes, differences in lettering, issuers etc.

Interesting, and without doubt it was a hard battle fought by very brave soldiers. But I don't get the comparison with Helmund province. Am I missing something?

Ooops too late

Something heroic like this - It might fit

Ah well, that's a bit of a sore point with some on here. I promised Mervyn that I'd do some pictures for his Bobby Book and although I never promised I did try to do some photo stuff for Paul R. Both never materialised .

So I suppose it depends what it is. When I get the SA helmet from Mervyn I will do something on it along the lines of above (maybe he will give away as a prize along with the water bottle I've got on the shelf awaiting the winner).

Is it like a song request or an idea or something you'd like me to do for you. Ideas are good, something for you would be ok as long as its something I can do but a song is out of the question.

Spaz

Cheers Frank - I wish I could but they fly away into the land of ebay

Interesting stuff

Lots of chariots for sale - can't see if there is a GT bladed wheels model for sale - one lady owner. What about the article where a lady was accosted by a man wearing a long false beard and mustachios - was it Christmas?

Thankee very muchly

And an M34? ammo box from Narva. Box is dated 1939 mostly original paint and mud except for the bits I've added

Another WW1