I have had these two examples for decades. They were bought back in the 80's when there was not a great demand from collectors. I have posted these before, probably 15 years or so. My first example ET 64:
This helmet was brought back by a CEF Pioneer who picked it up during the Canal du Nord attack. I bought it from his son who used to wear it on Haloween.
I do not know whether the Pioneer shot this individual himself or just picked this up from the battlefield. The helmet has obviously seen a great deal of use. We can see patches of feldgrau, dark green and brown divided by the typical black painted lines.
Rolled rim and heavy paint brush strokes.
The width of the black paint lines varies and obviously a coarse brush was used.
The horse hair pads are missing but the pouches and tape remain. I presume the black varnish splatter is blood. It extends under the liner rim.
A wise old collector friend who lives in New Brunswick, CN once told me that the reason why so many stahl helme liners are missing is because the pads/fingers are allowed to flop around which stresses and breaks the edge of the liner. He told me I should put a ball of cloth or bubble wrap up in the shell to keep the fingers vertical. I have followed his advice ever since. My next example is an ET 66 which I will post tomorrow.
This helmet was brought back by a CEF Pioneer who picked it up during the Canal du Nord attack. I bought it from his son who used to wear it on Haloween.
I do not know whether the Pioneer shot this individual himself or just picked this up from the battlefield. The helmet has obviously seen a great deal of use. We can see patches of feldgrau, dark green and brown divided by the typical black painted lines.
Rolled rim and heavy paint brush strokes.
The width of the black paint lines varies and obviously a coarse brush was used.
The horse hair pads are missing but the pouches and tape remain. I presume the black varnish splatter is blood. It extends under the liner rim.
A wise old collector friend who lives in New Brunswick, CN once told me that the reason why so many stahl helme liners are missing is because the pads/fingers are allowed to flop around which stresses and breaks the edge of the liner. He told me I should put a ball of cloth or bubble wrap up in the shell to keep the fingers vertical. I have followed his advice ever since.
My next example is an ET 66 which I will post tomorrow.
