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I do have some auto body tools that I have used in the past, so I'll probably use them again for this project.

Steve, you are correct with the addition that they also painted the helmet shells black, gold, and silver, then covered the fittings in any of those three colors as well. And that's not counting the people that thought it would be cool to chrome or nickel plate a helmet and gold plate the...

None of my dogs would go anywhere near a contraption like this...

Wayne, I also use the Renaissance Wax polish on my helmets. I generally apply the wax to the surface, then gently buff it out with a soft cloth (usually an old sock). I put it on all parts; metal and leather alike, and you are correct; it works great.

In addition to being a scarce helmet, the spike looks different than others I have seen. There appears to be remnants of grey paint on the brass trim in some of these photos. It's also interesting to see the Saxon cockade and front wappen on a cuirassier-type lobstertail-style helmet.

This looks like an original model 1915 Kurassier metalhelm, though it has a coat of grey paint. The outer paint looks like it may be original, perhaps to reduce glare. It looks like a really nice original piece.

Pembroke, I was thinking the same. I'm going to get a nylon 2" hammer for the job. In the past, I've used auto body hammers, but I'm going to try the nylon hammer with a rounded end this time.

Current status after about four or five hours of work with the rotary wire brush and Black & Decker cordless drill. The drill is reversible so one can go with or against the wire direction. This enhances its ability to cut through paint and rust.

John, I'll give that a try on the spike and base. Thanks for the tip!

Here's the spike, base, bolts, and tag. Manufacturer is CIE Cannstatt. I'm going to take care, as there may be original paint under the black paint.

Here are the latest photos of this helmet. I've been using a Black & Decker cordless power drill with a wire brush attachment, and some decent pressure applied in order to get through the rust. Current progress represents about 2-3 hours of work. After this round, I applied some Autosol metal...

Thanks John Josef. I'll take more photos and do some more work on it tonight.

Attached are some current photos of my current active project: a Kurassier that has been painted black. I started with a dremel, and transitioned to a power drill with a wire brush attachment, as the paint was persistent, and beneath it is a pretty thick coat of rust. I'm in the process of...

Tony, what an amazing find! I will message you directly, as I notice some of the brass coloring on the rivets appears to be coming off. I only mention this because I have a helmet similar to this, that I previously thought was something someone had created post-conflict or time period.

I concur on the oil, though I think everyone has their personal preferences when it comes to protecting metal pieces. My preferences are: Howard's Feed & Wax, and Renaissance Wax. I've been putting Renaissance Wax on my Metalhelm, as it is what the British Museum uses for their metal artifacts...

Hello Stahlhelms. I think you are correct in your assessment; it appears you have an original model 1862 helmet shell, spike, eagle, cockades, and chinstraps, though you are missing some original studs holding the spike base on, and missing original hardware securing the chinstraps to the...

Pawel, I see no one has reached out to you regarding value of these helmets, and I'll mention that it's difficult to provide an estimate of value, being that the market is so specialized. From what I've seen, these helmets are pretty much worth what someone will give you for them; in other...

Amy, what is a Japanese cherry blossom helmet? I have a couple original Japanese helmets; one found in a cave in the northern Marianas, along with bayonets and Type 99 rifles. I also have what appears to be a Japanese home guard helmet, though it is stripped down, and has what appears to be...

I wouldn't be too quick to write these helmets off as replicas. I have recently purchased a couple of reference books, and have learned quite a bit from reading them, even though the information on these metalhelme is sparse. Apparently these types of helmets were available for purchase from...

If this is an officer's helmet, the M91 side posts are incorrect, though they appear to be applied after-market. The close-up of the post shows the retaining brad extended so as to fit the existing hole. If it is an original EM helmet, it has been chromed. I actually recently purchased a...