My First FJ Helmet

**helmet2id** · 12-30-2017, 10:16 PM

I first bought this helmet from Billy Shea in 1994 - a double decal paratrooper. *It wasn't in great shape but it was real and it was in a price range that I could afford.** It was my first FJ, and I really got attached to it. *Reluctantly I*traded it away about 5 years ago as part of a deal for a pretty nice M42 DD DR SS helmet. *Several years later it appeared on a dealer's site and I had to get it back. *It is an ET71 shell*but has what I am sure is a War time replacement size 57 liner - an early one with the yellow crash pads. *The Fallschirmjager who last wore it in battle*most certainly was KIA. *There are two concussion cracks on the top of the dome, and there are the telltale "corpse cut" remnants of the harness. *The leather of the liner was very dry and fragile and had a few tears when I first owned it. *Unfortunately, it*has sustained*additional*damage,*probably during shipping*in the several transfers*since I parted with it in the trade, but is mostly still there. *Despite the battle damage, I think it still displays well and I*really do like it. *It was, after all, my first. *Here it is, I hope you like it as much as I do. *Jim G.

**Espenlaub Militaria** · 12-30-2017 10:16 PM

We also buy and trade your items and full collections!

**Danmark** · 12-30-2017, 10:28 PM

Despite the issues it is nice to see a genuine unassailable example Jim. ALL the telltale marks are present to guide the young'uns in their quests .........

Thanks for showing us.
Dan

**HoundsTooth** · 12-30-2017, 11:01 PM

Lovely decals and patina to the shell. I think the cracks to the shell add to the story - albeit probably a gruesome one.
Thanks for posting.
Nick

**RGD51** · 12-30-2017, 11:37 PM

That one really speaks! Nice score.

Robt.

**M38** · 12-31-2017, 01:37 AM

Nice scarce one Jim. Interesting liner!

Cheers,
Terry

**Danmark** · 12-31-2017, 10:33 AM

by M38

Nice scarce one Jim. Interesting liner!

Cheers,
Terry

Yes the liner band too with the odd rippling...not understanding how that would have happenned??

**Watchdog** · 12-31-2017, 12:17 PM

by Danmark

Yes the liner band too with the odd rippling...not understanding how that would have happenned??

From what I know about the weird and bizarre effects of blast concussion (it really does travell around corners etc!) I think the distortion of the aluminium headband is likely due to the same blast that fractured the shell. It isn't clear to me in the pics but I suspect the cracks are to the forward area of the shell?

@ Jim, a great evocative piece of history there. Is there any provenance or even place of recovery from the field?

Thanks for showing

Regards

Mark

PS If a soldier was wearing the lid when it was damaged then it is correct that he likely died as a result but surprisingly the head trauma alone may have been survivable as the intergrity of the helmet is not fully breached. I think this poor soul probably died from the overall effects of the concussion upon his internal organs, lungs, heart, liver spleen etc are all severely affected and even the level of traumatic shock is often enough!

Sorry to add the gruesome thought but it might add to the impression given.

**Anderson** · 12-31-2017, 12:39 PM

That's a great helmet, I'm not surprised you wanted it back.

**helmet2id** · 12-31-2017, 05:38 PM

by Watchdog

From what I know about the weird and bizarre effects of blast concussion (it really does travell around corners etc!) I think the distortion of the aluminium headband is likely due to the same blast that fractured the shell. It isn't clear to me in the pics but I suspect the cracks are to the forward area of the shell?

@ Jim, a great evocative piece of history there. Is there any provenance or even place of recovery from the field?

Thanks for showing

Regards

Mark

PS If a soldier was wearing the lid when it was damaged then it is correct that he likely died as a result but surprisingly the head trauma alone may have been survivable as the intergrity of the helmet is not fully breached. I think this poor soul probably died from the overall effects of the concussion upon his internal organs, lungs, heart, liver spleen etc are all severely affected and even the level of traumatic shock is often enough!

Sorry to add the gruesome thought but it might add to the impression given.

Hi Mark, Unfortunately I have no information regarding this helmet. I have already put it back into storage, but I have a few shots of the top of the shell that show where the cracks are. Here they are. The first is from the rear, the second shot is from the front. Thank you for the favorable comments regarding this piece and the information regarding the dynamics of blast concussion. Happy New Year, Jim G.