Stalingrad relic M35.

**Glenn66** · 03-29-2017, 02:04 AM

Looks great to me, if it were mine I would just get a coat of renaissance wax on her and leave her be.

**Espenlaub Militaria** · 03-29-2017 02:04 AM

We also buy and trade your items and full collections!

**dagwood** · 03-30-2017, 01:07 AM

Thanks for the comments. Anyone have an idea for the '12' marking within the helmet? Would it possibly be platoon/squad or simply # of the tank?

**Artem 1945** · 06-01-2017, 11:43 AM

by dagwood

Attachment 1061046
Hi Guys,

I know this is old thread but I would like everyone to know I have been in possession of this fine helmet of the above said post since 2005. IT IS truely a Stalingrad ground dug helmet found in the south side of the kessel near Elshanka back in 2004 by a friend of mine. Lots of rust and I am losing that battle to date! I have some shrinkage with the leather going on as you can see from the pics the surface rust is hard to stop after 13 years. The actual color is bluish/green and I know there has not been any oxalic acid or any other preservative applied. I've just been careful keeping it in a dry place to slow down the rusting process. As you can see in the photo the writing is still intact and I believe it to be 12.3.R.15 which in my research based on where it was found was the 3rd Company, 15th Regiment, 29th MOT division. Not sure about '12' and what it means? I'm guessing the helmet D link strap was field applied sometime early in the war when some of these troops came in from cavalry formations? Maybe this may be an explanation for the unusual color of helmet? Unfortunately, the name on the rim is really hard to make out. This is one of two 29th MOT division helmets I own. Any hints on how to better preserve this would be much appreciated. I have mixed feelings about Oxalic Acid.

Thanks,

Gary

Hi Gary. I have many helmets from excavation, them I cleaned all oxalic acid. Very good result.
Some examples.
Best regards,Аrtem.

**Artem 1945** · 06-01-2017, 12:09 PM

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**Artem 1945** · 06-01-2017, 12:17 PM

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**Cessna77** · 06-01-2017, 01:58 PM

I am assuming we are looking at some before and after photos here? What exactly did you do to them to get them looking so nice?

**Paul D** · 06-02-2017, 11:17 AM

Hi Gary,

Don't know how i missed this thread as 29 ID ( Mot ) and in particular IR 15 are one of my areas of study so this is a remarkable lid in many ways , the 3 is in fact the German spelling of I so the unit will be 12 Kompanie ,( IR ) Infanterie Regiment 15

regards

Paul

**dagwood** · 06-03-2017, 03:56 AM

Thanks Artem for all the pictures. It looks as though your method works fine. Could you detail the process?

Here are some pictures of my other helmet from the 29 mot Inf. I have no personal attachment to this one and where it was found at Stalingrad but from my research it looks as this m34 belonged to the 129th Panzer Battalion of the 29th mot. Again with the particular blue hue, Fw Kurt Gossel. Records show it was attached to the division in June 1942 and was destroyed at Stalingrad. Any insight on this person would be appreciated from any historian of the 29th. Looks to be in the 4th platoon, Staff company?

.

**AZPhil** · 06-03-2017, 04:12 AM

The work Artem has done is amazing! I hope he chimes in on his secret on how those rust buckets were turned in to Stahlhelms

Semper Fi
Phil

**dagwood** · 06-03-2017, 05:55 AM

Just to clarify I believe this helmet came from a veteran of the 1 Pz Abw Abt 39 regiment which was integrated into the 29th mot div as the 129 Pz Bat (Abt) in Jun 1942. Where from I'm not sure but the 129th was destroyed at Stalingrad. If I'm wrong please correct me or private msg me.