Want to know if this helmet is real or repo

[Hoffmavl]

Hi everyone, it's a pleasure to talk to you! I just joined the website last night and I must say it is awesome to see a website and forum dedicated to the collection of historic pieces! Anyways, I had found this helmet online and I'm currently interested in purchasing it, but I don't know if it is legit. I have only the 4 pictures provided by the auctioneer and I have never bought any historic piece before. I was wondering if anyone could help me in determining its authenticity.

[stuka f]

I am no expert! But it seems the rivets holding the liner have been messed with, I don't trust the chinstrap and the LW decal seem ok from here, but defenetly needs better pic's.
cheers
|<ris

[GeneralPutnam]

I do not like the liner. appears to have been replaced, as stuka said the rivets look messed with. I would also suggest sening better pics of the decal as other members would want to see it close up. also a stamp on the shell, any numbers or letters on the inside lip

[Hoffmavl]

Alright, I will contact the seller and see if I can obtain better pictures or more information on the item in question. As I said this is my first time buying a historic item of this nature so its a learning lesson, thanks for your help! Here is a good question, where would you recommend to look to find items from this time period, local antique sellers?

[DougB]

I would pass on this one. Fake strap, fake liner, no way in hell to know if the decal is good on it or not from these photos. Either way its been messed with so there is zero historical value in this piece now.

Unless you know what your doing an auction of any kind is the last place you should be looking.

The classifieds section here or on German Helmet Walhalla are the only places you should be looking if you have no experience.

Helmet dealers that can be trusted but still post before you buy

Ken N Helmetssale

Dave S World War II German Helmets - Buy the BEST HERE!

Bill S Steel Helmets

Peter W The Collector's Guild

Ken B German Helmets For Sale - WWII German War HelmentsGerman War Helmet

Giorgio S http://www.italianwarfront.com/?page_id=9

Kelly H http://ss-steel-inc.com/ss_stell_original_helmets.htm

Mike D http://virtualgrenadier.com/salelist.php?cid=4

Paul M http://rivervalleymilitaria.com

Rich B http://www.germanhelmetdepot.com/html/for_sale.html

Jeremy http://ww2germansteel.com/catalog/ww...currently-sale

[harryamb2]

and of course on here.

[DougB]

and of course on here.

I said that. :-) Read my entire post.... :-)

[FALLSCHIRMJAGER]

Hi, welcome to the forum, personally I would pass on this one as well. As the chaps have said, the liner and strap are fake. Much better examples of a Luftwaffe helmet are available in the classified section here and Doug has provided a great list of respected dealers for you. Many hours of happy hunting for you there! Good luck, I hope you find a nice one for your first helmet and remember to post a potential buy here first before parting with the hard earned. I would hate to see you get burnt on your first buy! Leon.

[Hoffmavl]

Thanks for your help guys, I appreciate that!

[KEVIN23]

I agree, this liner does not belong to this helmet. Also the original Luftwaffe decals came in two patterns, the first is 60mm from wing tip to wing tip the second is 67 mm from tip to tip. I know that you cannot measure since it is online auction, but just one more item on the list to help authenticate. I also agree that an awful lot of junk is passed off as 100% original at auctions and online sights, its hard to authenticate anything with 4 pictures. Remember an auctioneers job is to sell, not to know everything or anything for that matter. online you are at the mercy of the seller, anyone can set up a online sight and claim and sell anything with or without knowledge of what they have.