Snoopy Posted May 13, 2008 Share Posted May 13, 2008 HelloBeing a guy with not a lot of money to spend on collecting, and desperately wanting another german helmet. I bought a helmet for about 10 euros, a while back. The helmet was an M-40, That was painted in a thick layer of postwar applied black paint, with spots of rust, truly ugly. The helmet had the original metal liner ring, but postwar rivets, leather liner and chinstrap. I put the helmet on a shelf, but after a few months, that ugly paint started to irritate me. I had a good look at the helmet, and then I detected traces of a damaged decal under the paint. I rolled up my sleeves, and found a can of paint stripper, and set to work. I must admit that I was a bit intimidated, because I had never done this before. I took only about a square inch at a time, so that I could control the paint stripping properly. After a while, I uncovered a damaged, and toned Heer decal, it looks allmost like a KM eagle, but it's the clear lacker that has yellowed. The helmet allso has it's original paint finish, and I managed to preserve most of the camouflage finish. It looks like light green paint has been brushed on in segments. I know that helmet collectors probably won't like what I am doing, but everyting is better than the state it was in before i started, I hope. The pictures below, shows it's present state. I still have a little work left, but luckily, the interior was left in it's original colour. I know it's not the perfect helmet, but I hope you like it.All the bestSnoopy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snoopy Posted May 13, 2008 Author Share Posted May 13, 2008 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snoopy Posted May 13, 2008 Author Share Posted May 13, 2008 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danny70 Posted May 13, 2008 Share Posted May 13, 2008 For a 10 euro investment, it's looking really good to me!I'm not a helmet guy, but I don't have any problem with what you are doing...It's a sympathetic restoration, nothing wrong with that.Regards - Danny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snoopy Posted May 13, 2008 Author Share Posted May 13, 2008 For a 10 euro investment, it's looking really good to me!I'm not a helmet guy, but I don't have any problem with what you are doing...It's a sympathetic restoration, nothing wrong with that.Regards - DannyThank you very much, for the kind words. I really appreciate it. All the bestSnoopy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Wolfe Posted May 14, 2008 Share Posted May 14, 2008 Hi Snoopy,I like it very much. I don't think there is anything wrong with restoration if done carefully.You've done this artifact a service.Well done!Cheers Brian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snoopy Posted May 14, 2008 Author Share Posted May 14, 2008 Hi Snoopy,I like it very much. I don't think there is anything wrong with restoration if done carefully.You've done this artifact a service.Well done!Cheers BrianHello BrianThank you very much. In the past, I have passed on a lot of german helmets, that have been repainted. Now I wonder, what was hiding beneath the paint on those helmets. It's a lot of work, but I think it's worth it. My helmet has been a difficult one, because I am trying to preserve as much as possible of the camouflage. The camouflage is painted with something that resembles white wash, winther paint, so I have to be extra careful, not to remove this paint layer. It won't probably be perfect, but I like it. I allso like to think, that I am bringing the helmet closer to it's original condition.All the bestSnoopy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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