Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but this helmet is a poor quality replica.
I am truly sorry that you were stung by it. I presume you can't get your money back from the auction house?
Would you care to share the name of the auction house that sold it, so that others will be aware that they sell fakes?
Best Regards,
Alan
Made in Poland ?
The best Militaria forum in France is here : http://deutsch-militaria.forumactif.us/
Hard to say where it was made. They seem to show up the most frequently on eBay UK and UK dealer sites, unfortunately. I see them from time to time on eBay.de (Germany), and eBay.com (USA) as well. I truly feel sorry for anyone in the UK trying to buy pickelhaubes locally, as it really looks to be a minefield for collectors in the UK, unless you know how to spot the fakes.
The helmet shell/body is always very distinctive on these fakes, with the leather sweatband portion of the liner always being too big for the size of the helmet shell. The lazy rats that made these always stuff them into the smaller helmet shell, with the liner buckled up and showing it is too big for the shell. The finish of the helmet always has this same funky, incorrect look, and the proportions of the size of the visors and helmet shell are always off. There are numerous tell-tale signs of this helmet that always reveal it to be a fake.
Best Regards,
Alan
I do agree with the given opinion.
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Thanks Alan for the explanation. When I looked at it, it was the front
visor that was giving me an uneasy feeling.
gregM
Live to ride -- Ride to live
I was addicted to the "Hokey-Pokey" but I've turned
myself around.
Alan nailed it!
Adler
The odd looking knurled rings on the spike as well as the 'paper mache' appearance of the shell caught my eye as red flags.
Does this style helmet even exist? I'm talking about insignia - that's supposed to be Austrian, yeah?..... Thanks!
This one is trying to be Sachsen although I am not sure about the
use of the cruciform style spike base. Most Sachen helmets I have
seen have had the round base. Alan or Adler will be able to tell us for sure.
Check out post #137 of Adler's thread.
Adler's Imperial collection
In 2 of the pictures , the bottom right hand
helmets all have Sachsen front plates and I do not see cruciform spikes.
gregM
Live to ride -- Ride to live
I was addicted to the "Hokey-Pokey" but I've turned
myself around.
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