Desert Rat real or fake?

**canti44** · 03-31-2013, 05:48 PM

Hello chaps, just spotted this on e-bay. Only 3 quite poor quality phot's and I suspect only one bid tells a story in itself but are there any obvious dead give-aways? Opinions please!?

Cheers,

Ian.

**Jerry B** · 03-31-2013, 05:56 PM

Very bad fake IMHO. The way the painting of the camo over the earlier paint that has already mostly come off is a bad sign, as is the 7th Armoured Div formation flash, as I have never seen one of these that I thought was a real period done item, also the crappy not very detailed pics are a bad sign etc.....

**canti44** · 03-31-2013, 06:08 PM

Also from the seller referring to the flash - 'again I havnt got a clue as to when this was done' is never a good sign is it?

Of course he may be a bona-fide seller and has just picked it up somewhere. British ww2 helmet | eBay

**big ned** · 03-31-2013, 06:15 PM

Check this site out. Some 'interesting' reproductions and parts within.

Military Helmet Stencil instructions, Stencil and Template application guides - WarHats.com Military Headwear from many conflicts

I wouldn't mind betting that the inspiration (and stencil) came from there.

Regards, Ned.

**big ned** · 03-31-2013, 06:28 PM

by canti44

Also from the seller referring to the flash - 'again I havnt got a clue as to when this was done' is never a good sign is it?

Of course he may be a bona-fide seller and has just picked it up somewhere. British ww2 helmet | eBay

Look at the guys feedback. Besides flogging a few razors and beer mugs, he's been retailing a varied assortment of militaria, helmets, repro luft gear and other such stuff. This makes me think he knows more than he's letting on when he say he doesn't know which is the front of the helmet and which is the back. Liar.

Regards, Ned.