What Should be Done with this One!! M42 Semi-Relic

**Kilroy Was Here** · 06-03-2009, 02:49 AM

Hi, have this one on the way, should be here in a week or less.

I like it the way it is, but have seen on here the oxalic acid trick.

Maybe just leave this one alone?? Opinions welcomed. Will post more pics soon. Other side looks like this one, very good cond. Liner band is still present also.

Regards, Steve

**Espenlaub Militaria** · 06-03-2009 02:49 AM

We also buy and trade your items and full collections!

**NickD** · 06-03-2009, 07:16 AM

personally i would leave as is mate as it looks really good that way

**Paul D** · 06-03-2009, 04:41 PM

Steve,

Definately just leave it as it is , as a piece of History it's a nice relic lid and it should stay that way

**Nifartachi** · 06-03-2009, 05:03 PM

Hi Steve,

I agree with Nick and Paul.

Don't forget to post some more pics, when it arrives.

**Panzer 3** · 06-03-2009, 07:37 PM

Hi Steve,
I would leave it alone you will take all the history and character
from it. thats a nice helmet.
dave.

**packin9** · 06-04-2009, 12:17 AM

The decal looks remarkably well considering all that rust......?

HELMET_DOG · 06-04-2009, 12:54 AM

As The Gentlemen Have Stated leave it as is.

**rottenfuhrer-nl** · 06-08-2009, 09:18 AM

there are ways to restore the paint much better than it is now,but for history sake youd t better not (i know,ay Doug)

**Kilroy Was Here** · 06-08-2009, 11:14 AM

Thanks everybody, I am going leaving it alone. I never touch anything, but was thinking of it. The few posts I saw, of before and after with oxalic acid, got me thinking. After thinking, I said to myself, sure that helmet looks bettter, but now it is completely different, it's lost it's old smell, rust, dirt, powder residue, DNA, everything. I like items original, period.

The helmet pictured seems to have had some type of oil put on it already, maybe vegetable oil?? Maybe it is just the pic. If so, looks OK, cannot do anything now, and the helmet will suck it up.

I have 2 more coming with it. Another M42 w/decal/liner band, almost as nice as this one, and a SSh39 Russian helmet with a good amount of paint left, w/ slight battle damage. I have been looking around for a nice relic SSh39, but there seems to be not as many relic SSh39's as the SSh40 's. So I feel pretty lucky to find this one.

When they arrive, I will post some good pics of all three for everyone to see.

Regards, Steve