Kreigsmarine M35 - Before & After Post War Paint Removal

[Schwerpunkt]

Schwerpunkt, I believe your statement to be true regarding this helmet.
Maybe it was the original overpaint. The thing with this example is the
paint did seem a little too bright, glossy and 'new' looking.

It's gone now.......... but I still like the way it turned out.






Rgards, Steve.

Steve , among helmet collectors original paint stripping is sacrilege. You had better stripped the varnish of the original overpaint , if done well this could have positively affected the worth of the helmet. KM wartime overpaints are rare and much sought after.
No matter how much you love stripping paint the first thing to do is research your object to see if it's really necessary.

[jws54]

I will loan you my time machine so you can go back in time, but you'll have to borrow it yesterday.

[Trumper]

I somehow have the feeling that this may very well have been the original overpaint you have stripped.
A fair share of KM's got an overpaint of blueish gray paint and with the decal kept revealed.
Perhaps the exterior was coated that gave the impression the paint was new but it looks worn enough to me and the color looks period as well.
I wouldn't have stripped it.

Hi all,
When I bought the helmet, Brian Bell, whom I bought it from, said he thought the paint was post-war, I was and am of the opinion that he knows a lot more about German helmets than I do, so I believed him and stripped the bright blue paint.
If it was a wartime applied coat, then it's way too late to worry about it, it looked awful and I am very pleased with the way it is now.
Being positive, I have exposed the 'original' paint complete with partial camouflage, way more desirable in my eyes.
Years after I stripped it, I did notice a very similar coloured example in Thomas Kibler's first book on German helmets, then I started to wonder...but as I said, way too late to worry.

John

[Danmark]

A 10 year late comment from me.... why ( if the "overpaint was original ) would the inside have been painted as well and the liner removed? Nice work, ripping into the poor guy, good onya...

[PaddyD00]

Holy Thread Revival Dan. I like it though as I missed much. Keep em coming LOL. I think Franks point was KM painted their helms all types of whacky colors during the War. I have seen another KM example (from Andrea aka Sysyphus) where it was completely painted inside as well....period done. Now it wasnt electric blue haha. .. It was Tan. Regarding this one...I dont know. I think the whole "fiddling" with helmets thing is just the problem that some dont like. And I have to completely agree ...even if this helm did turn out looking like an Original ET KM M35 (actually exactly like one of mine...pictured below) ...its heavily messed with. I know I wouldn't want it the original posted example now. I have also seen a WAF thread where the guy stripped off a legit Sea Foam Green Camo because he thought it looked "weird." Oops
Zach

[rottenfuhrer-nl]

Yes Thats what i was thinking to , ship blue or gray comes in those colors looking almost fake.... my guess you probably ruined a nice KM ship helmet