M16 camo helmet with skull ?? Reall??

**Irish1965** · 07-22-2020, 03:22 PM

Hi everyone,

What do you think. Real or fake??

Someone ever seen a skull on a helmet like this?

Like to hear your opinion.

Thanks Paul

**Espenlaub Militaria** · 07-22-2020 03:22 PM

We also buy and trade your items and full collections!

**Gwar** · 07-22-2020, 04:20 PM

This was the way they were painted sometimes during WW 1, there are a lot of different configurations of the paint scheme, I cannot comment on the authenticity of the helmet markings.. G

**Chopperman** · 07-23-2020, 04:18 AM

I'm not really a helmet guy but I like it. The paint and wear to the helmet
look believable to me.

About the skull. IMO the skull may have been added by the vet who
brought it home. I have seen more than one helmet sitting in a den or
on a bar that has had graffiti added to them.

**AndyM35** · 07-23-2020, 05:01 AM

There is something about the paint that just doesn’t seem right but it may be down to the photos. For me there is a big discrepancy between the interior of the shell which is heavily oxidised and the external camo paint. I’m not seeing any signs of original felgrau paint where the camo paint is missing (perhaps hi res photos should help to show this?) The paint itself looks quite thin in consistency and not like paint we normally see applied.The edge of the rear visor shows heavy pitting along the edge which again is inconsistent with a shell that retains approx 90% of its original paint.

The skull and cross bones on the front look similar to the Freikorps Hacketau which came to prominence during the Reichswehr period from 1919 onwards. However the Hacketau was painted silver. According to Ludwig Baer the Hacketau was similar to the symbol worn by Infantry Regiment 92.

Definitely not a one looker for me but I would like to see more outside photos in hi res if available.

Andy

**Anderson** · 07-23-2020, 06:49 AM

Like Andy I have doubts with this one, the rear skirt of helmet appears to show paint over significant pitting, and secondly the vast contrast between interior condition and exterior paint. Better photos might help.

**sysyphus** · 07-23-2020, 10:48 AM

Guys this camo is 100% repro. Andy i agree with you it doesn't look correct; painted over a pitted shell and scrubbed away...so the wear looks not good either.

**Chopperman** · 07-23-2020, 11:31 AM

Like I said, I'm not a helmet guy.

**sysyphus** · 07-23-2020, 11:48 AM

by Chopperman

Like I said, I'm not a helmet guy.

well not a problem. we are here for this

**Irish1965** · 07-23-2020, 11:33 PM

Thanks guys,

I was in serious doubt. Also because of the difference between the in- and exterior. A helmet with this kind of exterior also should have a liner or parts of a liner. I think I'll leave it. I couldn't see any feldgrau either.

Thanks all of you and cheers.

Paul

**2005burty** · 07-25-2020, 08:42 AM

Looking to start out with this hobby any help gratefully received looking for a fairly plain M16 to start with Im in the UK anyone you recommend please ...doing my research but ebay is a little scary! Im sure all you proper collectors know this already but it seems that there are a lot of fakes out there and a lot of variations too over all patina seems the key..many thanks Chris