Luftwaffe stahlheim advice/comments please

Discussion in 'WW2 Militaria' started by mancpal, Feb 25, 2021.

  1. mancpal

    mancpal Member

    Hello, I've not been on here for a while as I tend to lean more towards the first war.
    As a child my elder cousin (still a keen historian ) owned a few items relating to both World Wars. In the early/mid '70's I bought his Luftwaffe helmet with spends saved up and a boost of christmas or birthday money for the dizzying sum of £6.
    I've owned it ever since though seldom thought much about it until reading something about German militaria fairly recently. I've done a quick Google and am leaning towards it being an M42 single decal ground helmet with the eagle and swastika (latter version). The ventilation holes are stamped rather than riveted and it has a plain rim, not rolled. The stamped markings on the inner rear skirt appear to read 4784 and I can't spot any other markings on the shell. The liner rim is fixed by 3 rivets, the leather liner bears only the number 57 (handwritten in ink and a Germanic script with the crossed 7). It has 8 leather 'petals' to form the crown with what appears to be the original string for adjustment. The string holes also have all 8 original reinforcing leather washers however there are no other perforations in the 'petals' as I've seen on google images etc.
    I'm certainly not thinking of selling the helmet at present but I have wondered if there might be a case for naming it on my insurance should it have increased from my initial outlay. The overall condition of both shell and liner is good with chinstrap components all present. There are signs of use on the liner/strap that this was an issued helmet though condition is good.
    I'd appreciate all thoughts on it and I realise photos are the way forward but I'll have to see if I can work out how to post them.
    Thanks,

    Simon
     
  2. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

  3. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

  4. CL1

    CL1 116th LAA and 92nd (Loyals) LAA,Royal Artillery

    Just don't tell the insurance company about your MG42
     
  5. mancpal

    mancpal Member

    Thanks for both your posts and I'll have a go but myself and Bill Gates are poles apart when it comes to tech.
    Just about to search out magnifier as there is certainly another stamp mark above the one mentioned previously but very slight indentation.
    If anyone can add anything further before I try and post photos it would be of interest if only to see if my description is any good !
    thanks again.

    Simon
     
  6. mancpal

    mancpal Member

    CL 1,
    Where did the G come from?

    Simon
     
  7. mancpal

    mancpal Member

    I've had a better look through an eyeglass at the other stamp and the best I can make out seems to read 'h?p 56'. The 56 could be 66 though I wondered it the ink 57 and the stamp 56 are size indicators. Would it be feasible to suggest recycled helmets met recycled liners at some point hence the apparent size marking in ink on the liner. I've no doubt that bitsas exist within Militaria but I was thinking of the military combining the components for the sake of economy rather than the ever present dealer coupling together similar pieces in the name of profit.

    Simon
     
  8. CL1

    CL1 116th LAA and 92nd (Loyals) LAA,Royal Artillery

    Just a little josh
    Mg42 machine gun


    Regards
    Clive
     
  9. mancpal

    mancpal Member

    This may show you pictures (or not being the likelihood)

    Thought not, will try again tomorrow

    View attachment 292798

    bed time he shouts in frustration

    Its hkp which I've identified on a militaria dealers site.

    I've noticed that a similar helmet is available currently on a popular auction site. This has nothing to do with me, I'd simply like to know more about my helmet. It's very unlikely Ill be selling it anyway.

    Simon
     
  10. CL1

    CL1 116th LAA and 92nd (Loyals) LAA,Royal Artillery

    this is the only mk42 I could find on there

    [​IMG]
     

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