Belaruski Posted January 15, 2007 Posted January 15, 2007 My WW2 helmets. The leather one is an early one (?1936). If anyone is interested I'll post detail pics. It has a small leather peak, that folds inside like a sweatband.
Sergey Posted February 16, 2007 Posted February 16, 2007 Very interesting and rare helmets I Congratulate
Bryan Posted February 16, 2007 Posted February 16, 2007 Please post details pics! I don't know much about those helmet.
Frontovik Mike Posted March 5, 2007 Posted March 5, 2007 How about some more shots of your early leather helmet. There is has been a fake version of this style floating around out there for about 5 years now. I'd be most curious to compare. I was able to aquire one of the fakes "off the record". I'd like to know how it compares to a real one as this version of the leather helmet is quite rare...Mike
RichieC Posted March 6, 2007 Posted March 6, 2007 How about some more shots of your early leather helmet. There is has been a fake version of this style floating around out there for about 5 years now. I'd be most curious to compare. I was able to aquire one of the fakes "off the record". I'd like to know how it compares to a real one as this version of the leather helmet is quite rare...MikeYes please, do elaborate, both of you (Stoo and Mike). I am in the market for one of these, and would like to see what I should be looking for... I passed on one last year at a big show, because I felt uncomfortable with it, and have not seen one for sale since...
Belaruski Posted March 8, 2007 Author Posted March 8, 2007 Hi all! Apologies for the late reply, I have been working on nights and do litle but sleep and work!Here's the promised pictures. The blue wool lining is darker than it appears in the photos. The pattern appears to be the '1936 initial version' as illustrated on page190 of Shalito et al's 1918-45 Red Army uniform 'bible'! but it also features the unusual leather 'visor' retained from the 1930 type (same page, and again on page 35).
Frontovik Mike Posted March 8, 2007 Posted March 8, 2007 Thanks for the posts.... I will get my fake up for comparison soon. In the meanwhile, how about some shots of reverse sides of each snap component compared to those you already show. Regards, Mike
Frontovik Mike Posted March 8, 2007 Posted March 8, 2007 Ok, for comparison... An early type leather tanker helmet that is 100% counterfeit with artificial distress added for effect. Not enough daylight for me to get out side, so mind you this is indoors (All) with a flash (some). First a couple of overalls, visor up, visor out. Not sure this is really a visor I might add. Maybe just a sweat shield. The front pad should make fine enough a visor on its own.
Frontovik Mike Posted March 8, 2007 Posted March 8, 2007 Some details... The snap studs are black painted over a very highly polished steel dome if not nickle plated or chromed. It had bad adhesion and is easily chipped with light fingernail pressure. Also, this helmet is covered in a yellowish gray verdigris/dirt/mildew. I suspect it has been soaked in a dirty brine of somesort to add this grime and rust the hardware in place.
Frontovik Mike Posted March 8, 2007 Posted March 8, 2007 Interior... I will add here that when this helmet was aquired, I think there were others with different interior colors.
RichieC Posted March 9, 2007 Posted March 9, 2007 Mike,Very interesting. If you would kindly elaborate on the artificial distress I would be appreciative. The hole in the right ear area; is that a simulated moth hole? Also, what type of rust do we have on the steel components? Is it fresh enough to leave a reddish-brown stain on the fingers and leave some pitting in the steel? Also, where the steel meets the leather; is there any of that green "goop" that usually occurs where metal meets leather? Of course, last but not least; Does it have that distinct odor, that many of these fakes seem to have?
Frontovik Mike Posted March 9, 2007 Posted March 9, 2007 (edited) Richie,If you mean the odor of fairly new leather, then yes it does. If you mean the cat piss smell, no it does not. There is none of the green goop. The green goop I am most familiar with is the thick stick stuff that very old, uncleaned brass will have on it. In that case it is a good sign. There is nothing like it on this helmet.The yellowish gray "stuff" is some sort of dust or dirt that has been washed on by either spraying it on or dunking the entire helmet. It is left is the low spots, crevaces and seams. The rust has slightly pitted the metal hardware in places and it can be transfer to the finger. However it is not like a dusty, brand new layer of rust. It has transfered to the leather is a spot or two.Mike Edited March 9, 2007 by Frontovik Mike
RichieC Posted March 9, 2007 Posted March 9, 2007 (edited) Stoo,Is there any wear or sweatstains in the blue lining in yours? Also, are there any shiny spots or wear-through of the tanning/blackening surface of the leather sweatband? Mike, What about that hole in the right ear area? Edited March 9, 2007 by RichieC
Frontovik Mike Posted March 9, 2007 Posted March 9, 2007 Oops... no, the hole is the ear pass-through. There is one on each sideMike
RichieC Posted March 9, 2007 Posted March 9, 2007 (edited) Pass through? Edited March 9, 2007 by RichieC
Frontovik Mike Posted March 9, 2007 Posted March 9, 2007 Pass through?Maybe a bad choice of description. under the side flaps there is an opening through the helmet body and liner to facilitate use of the rarely installed radio equipment. The hole you see is the liner side of this feature.Mike
Nack Posted March 9, 2007 Posted March 9, 2007 How long were the leather helmets used? Just early in the war, or where they used again after the war?
Frontovik Mike Posted March 9, 2007 Posted March 9, 2007 How long were the leather helmets used? Just early in the war, or where they used again after the war?Leather helmets came into vogue again towards the very end of the war when the "parade machine" cranked up again as victory became certain. They were still worn in parade in to the 1950's. I don't have much interest past that so I can't speak for later.Mike
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