WW2 German Mediterranean Camo Helmet

**Searinox** · 11-09-2010, 04:15 AM

Hey all.

While browsing around Ebay recently, I found this example: ORIGINAL WWII GERMAN HELMET, M42, SIZE 66 - eBay (item 250723590246 end time Nov-14-10 16:07:22 PST).

Now before the bullets start flying in my direction, let me clarify that I well know that Ebay is a minefield for collectors. This helmet has me stumped, though. It has what appears to be the correct textured paint and inner liner stamp. However, it looks a little too good to be true. Is it real or fake?

I also found another mysterious camo for comparison on a UK site: S and B Collectables | Quality Militaria | Antiques | Vintage Motorcycles | Memorabilia.

Which one is real? And which one, if any, are fake?

**Espenlaub Militaria** · 11-09-2010 04:15 AM

We also buy and trade your items and full collections!

**davejb** · 11-09-2010, 04:31 AM

The one on E-Bay imo is a a fake, it looks like a semi relic shell with deep pitting to the interior yet hardly any serious age to the liner, as for the camo , it could well be covering exterior pitting, the second one , not really enough detailed photos to go on

**cricketchris1944** · 11-09-2010, 04:34 AM

The one on Ebay is fake and has been for sale for at least 3 weeks now.

**Walkwolf** · 11-09-2010, 05:15 AM

The E-Bay helmet description says it's a repaint, and explains
that the liner leather has been replaced.

I cannot tell with the other one - the photos are awful.........

**Schwerpunkt** · 11-09-2010, 08:01 AM

If the pictures are bad you cannot really say much about it , I'm talking about the dealer site.
The ebay one is a fake for sure.

**qotd** · 11-09-2010, 08:31 AM

That is so blatantly a relic repaint.

On another issue, did M42's have dome stamps??? I always thought these wer only rarely found on M35's. I am not sure about dome stamps though, tend to steer clear if a helmet has one

**ObKrieger** · 11-09-2010, 01:11 PM

I browsed through that second website and found this: S and B Collectables | Quality Militaria | Antiques | Vintage Motorcycles | Memorabilia

They don't seem to have a good track record for selling original items.

**Searinox** · 11-09-2010, 02:42 PM

Thanks guys. Any opinions on the second helmet?

**Schwerpunkt** · 11-09-2010, 11:08 PM

by qotd

That is so blatantly a relic repaint.

On another issue, did M42's have dome stamps??? I am not sure about dome stamps though, tend to steer clear if a helmet has one

Sure they did. A dome stamp is a nice thing to see on a helmet and they do pop up a lot on original ones. Nothing to be afraid of.