M42 Helmet Value?

What is the general market value you for a M42 SD Luftwaffe helmet with full original decal and almost perfect original paint.

Post war liner and no chinstrap

lot no #2223

 

Please post photos of the helmet including close ups of the production run number, manufacturer stamp and decal

 

I can confirm the markings are E64 (I know what it means) and the lot number is #2223.

 

ET64 I mean

 

WWII German helmets have become an absolute 'minefield' since prices have rocketed over the last ten years - so please do not take this reply as definitive in any way. Fakes have now become very sophisticated as prices have risen, and it's now almost impossible to give an opinion without actually handling the item.

Having said which, I'm fairly certain that the decal is a reproduction. Visible detail is just too 'fuzzy' ( there is a very good close-up photo on p. 130 of Niewiarowicz' seminal book 'Germany's Combat Helmets 1933-1945' ). Also - always a warning signal with any German helmet decal - the detailed, hard-to-fake parts ( eg eagle & beak, talons ) are conveniently scuffed out.

As to the paint, it's impossible to tell without handling. The outer coat should be rough and 'sandpapery' while the inner should be quite smooth.

So value is very hard indeed to gauge . For me personally, given the above, I'd be happy to pay £140-£160 .

But if this is your first helmet tread carefully - my advice would be to buy a book such as the one mentioned above or join a Forum such as 'German Helmet Valhalla'. It's worth the investment in money and time.......

 

I totally agree with Martin's analysis and reply. The repro makers are getting very sophisticated in their techniques and some of the copies these days are very good.

I can't comment on the authenticity of the shell by looking at your photos, but one thing that does bother me is the presence of rust that lacks any patina. It looks to be very recent rust rather than rust that has taken many decades to form.

 

Agreed.

One thing that jumps out at me is the decal wear -- why would the majority of the wear be in the center, and not on the more exposed, less "protected" regions such as the wing tips?

 

Can you post a clear and close up photo of the decal please?

 

I paid $340 for this and am waiting for it to come, but if I can spot that it is fake then I will return it. I just thought it would be a good easy flip seeing as these helmets can go for much more. I agree with decal comments I will have to see when I get it. Thanks for the responses I will keep you all updated. Also @George Patton I loved your Jeep construction post, great work!

 

It arrived! Here are the pics, maybe you guys can make a final verdict. I compared it to a genuine Polizei helmet I had and I saw some similarities between the decals and it looks real, I cannot be for sure though

 

@jagdpanther44 @George Patton @Martin Bull

 

>accident<

 

Shell is original ... The rest (as stated before) is questionable...