Used by Kriegsmarine or Heer?

[ObKrieger]

Hi guys,

I came across this helmet just now and I just wanted to get your opinions as to who would have used it. It appears to have been painted for ship use, but it has a Heer decal. Were there any Heer personnel stationed on ships?

I reckon it could have been painted by a Heer infantryman who spent a lot of time fighting in urban areas, also.

Any thoughts?

[SteveR]

It appears to be army.
Nice helmet.

[rbminis]

Hi Mo,
Maybe Coastal Artillary?
Ralph.

[ObKrieger]

Hi Mo,
Maybe Coastal Artillary?
Ralph.

I thought about that too, but I thought that coastal artillery units were all part of the Kriegsmarine.

[Schwerpunkt]

I thought about that too, but I thought that coastal artillery units were all part of the Kriegsmarine.

That's incorrect. Check out Hitler's Atlantic wall by Anthony Saunders.

[ObKrieger]

So there were Heer CA units? I suppose that would be a good explanation for this helmet.

[SteveR]

Coastal artillery are part of the navy. They wore Navy style fieldgrey uniforms.
I am more than sure it is army with toned laquer over the decal.
The gold decal is instantly recognizable compared to an army with tone laquer over it. No guessing needed. Hope this helps you.

[ObKrieger]

I am not concerned about the decal, it is obviously a Heer one. I am just trying to figure out why a Heer helmet would have this paint scheme, that's all.

Heer coastal artillery sounds like the most likely choice at this point.

[KradSpam]

This pic might be of use.

[Schwerpunkt]

I am not concerned about the decal, it is obviously a Heer one. I am just trying to figure out why a Heer helmet would have this paint scheme, that's all.

Heer coastal artillery sounds like the most likely choice at this point.

Could be that the quartermaster made a mistake and gave a KM soldier a helmet with a Heer decal. I would assume when in need of helmets during an all out war the color of the eagle mattered little.