Malta helmet?

[Westernhighlander]

Good morning,
I found this on the net. Considering buying it, but I am not sure of it's authenticity...Would welcome some opinions before committing...
Thanks,
Mike

[Jan]

Thanks for the post. Although I know almost nothing about "Malta" helmets and the photos are way too bad for a definite yes or no. this one looks very suspicious, not to mention the "licence to drive a motor car" which actually looks like a receipt from a bar in Valetta.

The wear of the net is one thing that turns me off too. The net makes it impossible to determine whether the camo is original or not, which actually may be it´s purpose? Although I wish you wait for more experienced opinion my advice would be, stay away.

Best, Jan

[Watchdog]

Like Jan, I claim no expertise regarding these helmets but I am not keen on this one either.

So, from the general point of view of a fairly experienced collector of militaria;

As stated by Jan, the net does not help at all and when It would be no issue at all to remove it and take decent pictures of the paint work is to me, downright suspicious.

Also the cammo pattern seems to be quite precise in application with very regular spacing beween the colours.

The inclusion of something as random as a Maltese driving licence which can have little if any bearing on the authenticity of the helmet seems to be a contrived attempt to lend credibility. In and of itself I can't see how it adds any degree of provenance. It is simply a piece of unconnected ephemera.

I am sure you know that these are often faked and that originals tend to fetch much higher prices than a "non-Malta" MkII.

For me to consider it as a purchase I would want totally "bomb-proof" provenance and expert evaluation.

By all means wait for the MkII helmet specialists to have a look but as it stands I would consider the above points and the poor pictures then quickly look the other way. As always I would be happy to be proven wrong and for this to be a really good example (it is quite tidy isn't it?). But, I'm not holding my breath and I wouldn't risk it!

Regards

Mark

[Westernhighlander]

Thanks,
I had my reservations, which I why I posted it.
Also find it odd that he would write his driver's license number on the chin strap of the helmet....

[BlackCat1982]

I don't know why people think this camouflage pattern is unique to Malta, it was used in Italy also. This example is hiding under the netting and although an original helmet I suspect the net, paint and ephemera are a pulled together group.

[tinlid]

If the seller can't show pictures that he knows a buyer would want to see, then that is not a good start.
Even from the poor quality pictures, I'd say it's a fake.

[Composite]

The inclusion of a “distraction” item such as a supporting piece of paperwork is quite common and actually quite clever....I have no idea re the validity of this set...

People often link two items for their own display purposes (or other reasons???) and then sell them together which can be a real pain if you only want one of them......the supporting items are often respirators or paperwork.

Good luck.

[Watchdog]

I don't know why people think this camouflage pattern is unique to Malta, it was used in Italy also.

Yes, of course but the "Malta" tag is what the ill-informed immediately recognise and has the advatntage of VAT "Value Added Trickery"

Regards

Mark

[SMP]

I don't know why people think this camouflage pattern is unique to Malta, it was used in Italy also. .

A lot of the similar helmets seen in Sicily and Italy were actually worn by members of the 231st infantry brigade who where originally stationed on Malta

[Composite]

....and there was me expecting some net analysis.......