WW2 american helmet?

[claudiu]

Hello I am interested in buying this helmet. Is it from ww2 or post ww2??? It's marked COGEF.

[claudiu]

I am waiting your answers.

[Kev in Deva]

Buna Zia claudiu,

Looks very like the model worn by the West-German Army post WW2,

to me, but I would deffer my opinion to more learned members of the G.M.I.C.

Kevin in Deva.

[Peter_Suciu]

The chinstrap is wrong for an American helmet. This looks to have been replaced, or is the liner chinstrap looped through the steel helmet D-rings?

The shell looks like it could be WWII. The paint was a bit different for Korea, but you'd have to see it in the flesh to make the call. Digital photography can alter the shade of the paint. The liner looks like a Westinghouse to me, but I'm not an expert on American liners. I do think it is late WWII American, but missing the canvas chinstrap.

[claudiu]

Thanks for the help.

I also think it's a late war helmet because it was found near Ploiesti Romania. As we know we were allies with the germans but in 1944 we allied with the americans and russians, so it could be from 1944 or 1945.

[Kev in Deva]

Hallo Claudiu,

the Ploiesti, Romania, connection is interesting, might it have come from any of the US bombers shot down in the bombing raids on the oilfields? I seem to recall pictures of American Aircrew wearing helmets as protection from Flak.

Kevin in Deva.

[claudiu]

Hello Kev

You are right I also think this helmet is from a bommber or other aircafr. Someone from Baicoi told me that in ww2 a lot of planes crashed on the fields, many full with equipment.

[Kev in Deva]

Hallo Claudiu

I have only ever come across reference to bomber crew carrying helmets,

I am sure it would never come from an escorting fighter,

and of course we know that no US troops were ever in service in Romania in WW2.

Kevin in Deva.

[hunyadi]

Look at H-U 256 for the helmet used in the bombers later in the war - they were nothing like the first one posted. But - certainly someone could have brought any helmet aboard, but not likely. I think this may have been a 'bring-back' of some sorts. (US solder in Berlin gives his helmet to Russian drinking buddy who then takes a train through Rumania and trades the helmet for a piece of bread - or collector in 1992 buys helmet and brings it to Rumania...who knows...)

http://www.johnnyg.westhost.com/helmets-usa-4.html

Edited October 28, 2007 by hunyadi

[claudiu]

I sow the helmet yesturday, the liner is marked 1955, so it's a post war one, but the helmet looks like a ww2 one also the color of the helmet is much darker. Do you think this is a ww2 helmet with post war liner or the entire helmet is post war. I forgot the liner doesn't fit so good. I am waiting you answer.

[Peter_Suciu]

I sow the helmet yesturday, the liner is marked 1955, so it's a post war one, but the helmet looks like a ww2 one also the color of the helmet is much darker. Do you think this is a ww2 helmet with post war liner or the entire helmet is post war. I forgot the liner doesn't fit so good. I am waiting you answer.

That's not uncommon, since the liners can be changed so easily. The shell could be WWII. From the photos the paint looks right, but I can't give a 100% on it without seeing it in the flesh.

You have to keep in mind that many of the WWII shells were reused and repainted after the war. So the shell could date from WWII. It is just impossible to say without seeing the helmet in the flesh. But if the price is right what's the problem. It is certainly the "WWII style."

[claudiu]

Yes you are right, I also seen ww2 helmets used an refurbished after the war. I will put some photos with the helmet this week. I bought the helmet for 50$, I say not much for such a helmet, especially in Romania.

[landsknechte]

Look at the rim that goes around the edge of the helmet. Is the seam in the front or the back? If it's in front, it's definately WW2. If it's in the back, it could be very late war or post war.