WW1 German helmet sniper shield

**cricketchris1944** · 05-03-2010, 10:30 PM

What would be the best way to clean it up.It was found last month in Meuse Argonne in the village of Romagne-sous-montfaucon.

**Espenlaub Militaria** · 05-03-2010 10:30 PM

We also buy and trade your items and full collections!

**oradour** · 05-03-2010, 10:47 PM

cricketchris1944,I take it this is your first post, welcome to the forum, looks like you have a nice example of a 'Stirnpanzer' a 2.5lb steel-nickel alloy helmet plate for the M16/17 and 18 Stahlhelm. Due to the material it is made of it should clean up nicely, i notice the strap attachment holes are corroded up, there should be some numbers on the inside, however due to corrosion/rust they may not be visible. There are plenty of members who should be able to advise over preservation, i dont personaly collect ground dug items, but there are plenty here who do. By the way, the Stirnpanzer was only issued for 5% of the available helmets, rare ! a super item.

**António Fragoeiro** · 05-03-2010, 10:50 PM

Hi, one of the most comon methods is to dip the helmet in a bath of oxalic acid for several hours, but i dont know if the shell is in a fragil state or not, wait for the opinions of the experts on this.
Best of luck with helmet shield. its really cool.
Best regards
Nuno

**cricketchris1944** · 05-03-2010, 10:53 PM

Thank you, yes I am new to the forum.looking to have some fun.I was a good day finding this item last month have put it on a helmet but still need to clean it.

cricketchris1944
PS still working on how to use the forum.

**militarymania** · 05-03-2010, 10:56 PM

there was a posting on another site about on using an anode/cathode combination immersed in a solution free the rust from the iron,,,

**cricketchris1944** · 05-03-2010, 10:57 PM

The shell is in very good condition ,just has alot of rust on it.

**oradour** · 05-03-2010, 10:58 PM

Cricketchris1944, take a look in the ' Restoration & Refurbishing ' section of the forum, plenty of tips/procedures explained by the lads in there for dealing with corroded/rusty items.

**cricketchris1944** · 05-03-2010, 11:03 PM

Oradour, I will do that .Thank you

**ironcross1** · 05-04-2010, 04:07 AM

Fantastic find , very rare item to discover , your a lucky man , well done , cheers Raymond

**cricketchris1944** · 05-04-2010, 04:21 AM

I was very happy that day.One of my friend from the village came by the same field a hour later to look for relics,I told him what I had found tryed to buy it from me but no way.