SS Double Runic Rarity

[talltom]

man thats a nice helmet looks beutifull bet your happy added that to the collection

tom

[BOB COLEMAN]

Doug-
In all of the years I have collected, this is the first opportunity I have had to see one of these rarities except for in period pictures. Congratulations on adding this rare piece to your fine collection. When it comes to SS helmets, you are the man! Thanks for sharing.

[Adrian]

Thanks Adrian. Actually one of these is the rarest SS helmet in existence (in my humble opinion). Austrian transitional SS VT or TV with the mirror runic decals or the M35 ET with Fat Runes attributed to the earliest combat formations of the LAH Regiment. Only 1 known of the mirror runic and only 5 known of the M35 Fat Runes. But a factory SS M35 EF converted to a Double Runic, well thats right up there.

I guess if only one example of a particular helmet is known then it will be the rarest! Either way, it is a rare treat to see the top three(?) rarest SS lids posted together here so helmets off to you Doug, thank you for sharing these superb artifacts with us!

[DougB]

Thanks Bob and Adrian. Nice M40 and M42 SS combat helmets are fine, but the rare and mega-rare SS helmets are what I live for. ;-)

Pleasure to share with you gentlemen.
Cheers
Doug

[DougB]

Also thanks to all who complimented on this fine Double Runic, talltom I was over the moon when I unwrapped it. It was like having another child or something like that LOL.

[Paul D]

I don't know the answer to that question Paul. I feel they are tied somehow to the foreign volunteer aspect. Of note and great interest is the mirror runic collar tabs photographed and published I think in the Mollo books. This helmet surfaced many decades ago in the US. The pattern is identical to the Pocher, but in reverse of course.

I did meet Remy on a few occasions but unfortunately the mirror runic helmet was never discussed , that said whether he would have known the answer who knows , that said even in those days this may have been an unusual configeration . Remy has passed now so that chance has gone :=(

[DougB]

Wow Paul that would have been a dream to know Remy. Amazing!!!

[Paul D]

I visited him at his home in Hagen on a couple of occasions and he also was a regular at OdR Meetings until he fell out with the hierachy over wearing original awards , even in old age he was a feisty individual , not to be messed with as many had previously found out on the eastern Front !!