Weight differences in Helmets?

[Isle of Wighter]

I have two relic M35 helmets, one is a Luftwaffe (ET64,partial decals with no liner band or pins) and one is a Heer (With liner band and pins.Too pitted to see a makers mark, but I think its also a Thale). I was having a feel of them earlier and noticed that the Heer one is a little bit heavier than the Lufty, is this common? Also the Air vent rivets seem slightly different too, the Heer seems to have flatter, less prominant ones. I cant seem to find any info on helmet weights on the usual websites.

[Walkwolf]

Hi, Jim !

Slight variations in maker design and material weight is common.
If a sheet of steel is even a fraction thicker than another
this can have substantial effect.

Apparently 'Q' - Quist shells are supposed to be the thickest,
therefor heaviest shells. Air vent styles probably varied
slightly from one manufacturer to another as well. I know
that where they were positioned on the helmet was
different from maker to maker too. This is why some
guys like a particular manufacturer over another.

For these reasons it makes it interesting and fun.........

On the other hand, in your case it may depend greatly on just
how rusted and pitted they actually are, because this can
have a drastic effect on the weight.





Regards, Steve.

[Davidh]

Q lids are the heavy ones, its more than likely that the heer helmet you have is not an et as the vents on same makes are generally very similar, also the size would make a difference if the heer is larger than your luft its going to weigh more just a thought, rgds Dave

[Walkwolf]

Q lids are the heavy ones, its more than likely that the heer helmet you have is not an et as the vents on same makes are generally very similar, also the size would make a difference if the heer is larger than your luft its going to weigh more just a thought, rgds Dave

Thanks, Dave.

I forgot to mention size !
That would make a huge difference as well ! !




Regards, Steve.

[Isle of Wighter]

Thanks for the info Dave and Steve, I think the Heer is smaller than the Lufty though so it must be a Quist and not a ET. Here are some pics. The view from the top has the Heer on the left and the Lufty on the right.

[Walkwolf]

Now that the air vents are seen close up, the fourth photo looks like a M40 with a stamped vent !
The bottom pic is clearly M35. Maybe there is some thick paint covering the separation between
vent and shell ? - I can not see a separate vent rivet. ( The 'orders' to remove National decals
was apparently sometime in 1941, a couple of years after the war had begun, and both
M35's and M40's were in service. )


These are very nice relic helmets, Jim ! Are the coated with something?





Regards, Steve.

[Isle of Wighter]

Hi Steve.Glad you like the relics! I've had a look inside both helmets at the rivets. They are definitely both M35's, as you can see the inner edge of the rivet They are not coated with anything (I think it's just my dodgy photo's!). The Heer (4th photo down) has traces of two coats of paint, an apple green and a darker later coat which covered the decal.The liner band is a 1940 Metallwarenfabrik FWM ( Muller). They both have a similar finish, quite pitted but stable. They are not ground dug relics, I think they are barn or old house finds, both from separate sources in Poland. I like 'em , they make a good pair!

[Walkwolf]

At first glance, they look like the same helmet !

It is 'safe' to show the other decal sides. (if they are still there !) !

There has been some discussion on the forum whether relic helmets are a good
or cheaper alternative to buying genuine but expensive complete helmets,
but I think relics have their place in a collection just the same.




Regards, Steve.

[Walkwolf]

I like relics BTW !

Or any WWII German helmet for that matter ! !





Regards, Steve.

[Isle of Wighter]

Hi Steve.Here's a few more pics. I have used photoshop to try and sort the glare on the close ups of the decals (my camera is not the greatest, makes everything look wet)You can see the layers of paint on the Heer quite well.There is also a shot of the inner edge of the Heer vent rivet. I like relics, I got these two as cheapo's just so I could have a feel and good look at a Stahlhelm close up. I think they have helped me learn a fair bit, especially the Heer, with the liner band still in it. You gotta start somewhere