Need some opinions - M38 Fallschirmjaeger

**vegas82867** · 09-14-2009, 11:42 PM

Picked up this M38 Fallschirmjaeger helmet with spanner bolts and a single laquered decal about six months ago and I'm having doubts about it. The seller gave me quite a lesson about it when I bought it and he seemed convincing enough at the time, so since I had never actually held one in my hands to really get the true feel of authenticity I went ahead and bought it. The decal looks crackled but I've seen this very same look in reference books - that doesn't mean much but that's what I had to go by. Now I was told this helmet could possibly be a post war Czech - would someone have pictures of one of these post war Czech paras that I could compare it to. I would appreciate any feedback whatsoever and I've included some photos for your viewing.

Thanks,
Frank

**Espenlaub Militaria** · 09-14-2009 11:42 PM

We also buy and trade your items and full collections!

**SteveR** · 09-15-2009, 12:27 AM

I have some serious doubts about the liner and chinstrap. I am not very good with decals so I will leave that to others. I would need to have the helmet in hand to give an opinion about whether it is original or not.

**vegas82867** · 09-15-2009, 12:40 AM

What is it about the liner and chinstraps that make you have doubts?

**vegas82867** · 09-15-2009, 02:51 AM

Here's some extra photos of the chinstrap & liner.
Thanks for looking!

**francis006** · 09-15-2009, 06:07 PM

I would send it back fast ,sorry Frank !!

**vegas82867** · 09-16-2009, 02:45 AM

The seller won't take it back - says it was too long ago now (6 1/2 months) he says 8 but the sale was made 2/26/09. I payed through paypal on my Amex and so I was able to file a fraud complaint with Amex, but I don't know if they will be able to do anything after all this time. I made a really big mistake. I'm embarrased to say I bought it on ebay - that's like the first rule to helmet collecting of what not to do. ebay suggested I report the guy to an online fraud agency and possibly escalate it by informing law enforcement. I feel like such a fool and I don't know what to do. Does anyone have any suggestions of what else I could do? I also figured that the more replies from this forum that suggest the helmet is a fake than the more information I can submit to the fraud agency as some kind of proof. I could just kick myself.