M40 SS single decal helmet advice needed

JPNH · 04-06-2011, 07:03 PM

Hi,

I'm new to the forum and would like request advice on this helmet. My father bought this as part of a lot in an auction in the late 80's and it has been sitting in my basement for nearly ten years now.

I guess first of all I would like to know about the authenticity of the piece since I understand there are a lot of fakes out there. Second, what steps should I take to preserve the helmet, and third assuming it is authentic, what would the approximate value be?

The liner is badly damaged and dried out and the stampings on the rear rim appear to say NS66 L998 but I could be mistaken since parts of the stamping are very faint/light.

Thanks in advance! I look forward to reading your expert opinions on this neat helmet.

J

**Espenlaub Militaria** · 04-06-2011 07:03 PM

We also buy and trade your items and full collections!

**NickD** · 04-06-2011, 07:15 PM

well not my area but i'll say fake decal ??

**Isle of Wighter** · 04-06-2011, 10:27 PM

Its a bad one.

**Walkwolf** · 04-06-2011, 10:47 PM

I agree with the above statements.

Genuine M42 helmet shell with an incorrectly placed 'aged' repro decal.
Not sure just when these aged decals became available ?

Too bad about the liner - although it looks like it's possibly a recent
replacement - seems it has been nearly ripped out of the helmet
by someone/something...................

**big ned** · 04-06-2011, 11:10 PM

by Walkwolf

I agree with the above statements.

Genuine M42 helmet shell with an incorrectly placed 'aged' repro decal.
Not sure just when these aged decals became available ?

Too bad about the liner - although it looks like it's probably a newer
replacement - seems it has been nearly ripped out of the helmet
by someone/something...................

These are available for $2.10 each from Poland.

Regards, Ned.

**DougB** · 04-06-2011, 11:32 PM

You can get them here as well. The decal on the helmet is a reproduction.

**Dean** · 04-06-2011, 11:45 PM

Agreed the decal is a pre-aged fake and VERY poorly placed. Note that the decal should be about 1 cm below and centered under the vent-hole. Nice shell though.
~Dean

JPNH · 04-07-2011, 07:42 PM

Thanks for all of the replies and advice. I'm disappointed that the helmet does not appear to be authentic but on the other hand at least no one spent a bunch of money thinking that it was worth anything. IIRC it came home from an auction in a box full of other weirdness back in the 80's.

Thanks again,

J