Late war relic camo M38 authenticity

[69Barracuda]

Hey all, have the opportunity to buy what I believe to be a late war relic m38, which the seller says is camo and was found in Holland, and will clean up with a oxalic bath. Looking to determine its authenticity as a helmet, and if anyone believes there is any camo actually there, and what its value would be. Thanks in advance.
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[MAP]

Looks good to me. Although fakers have nearly perfected the art of aging items.....

As to it being a camo.... It does appear to have a rough over paint on parts of the helmet, which itself is a form of camouflage. But this might just be rust scaling. Hard for me to call either way.

No idea if it would have been anything but a typical feldgrau color.

[Danmark]

Just be careful with the acid on the leather and alloy lug bolts - only a short time immersed or they may be further damaged ......

[HARRY THE MOLE]

Looks good to me. Although fakers have nearly perfected the art of aging items.....

As to it being a camo.... It does appear to have a rough over paint on parts of the helmet, which itself is a form of camouflage. But this might just be rust scaling. Hard for me to call either way.

No idea if it would have been anything but a typical feldgrau color.

I don't think they have managed to fake cracks in the dome yet. Genuine helmets are made of much harder steel than fakes, and if you hit a fake helmet with force, you are more likely to dent it than split it.

[AndyM35]

I would agree with you MAP. I think it’s most likely authentic but cannot comment on its ability to withstand blunt force as I’ve never hit a “fake helmet with force”.

Cheers!,
Andy

[Jan]

Hi 69Barracuda,

Regarding conservation of this kind of helmets please check a previous project to get a ground dug helmet to a museum.

M38 FALLSCHIRMJÄGERHELM rescue project

Best,

Jan

[HARRY THE MOLE]

I would agree with you MAP. I think it’s most likely authentic but cannot comment on its ability to withstand blunt force as I’ve never hit a “fake helmet with force”.

Cheers!,
Andy

Blunt force doesn't crack a helmet, it puts a dent. High velocity force from something such as a shell fragment, is what causes cracks. A high velocity bullet might cause a crack, but is more likely to punch a hole. Whereas a low velocity bullet - such as from carbine, smg, or pistol is likely to cause a dent. A fake helmet will not withstand (as well) the same impact as a genuine helmet would - although there are exceptions. Even you Andy must have heard of the sometimes quoted question... 'How do you tell the difference between a Spanish Modelo Z helmet and a German M42?' The answer of course being... 'Hit them both with a hammer'. This of course being a reference to the low resistance to damage of the Spanish helmet.

Because of the fractures, I have no doubt that the relic shell is genuine.

[69Barracuda]

Thanks everyone for the helpful responses, can anyone lead me towards a direction of pricing for one? Thanks again.

[69Barracuda]

I'll see if I can get the bolts off first and take the bolts and leather off before I give it a bath, thanks for the tip.

[69Barracuda]

Thats a great help, thanks! I was looking at giving it a oxalic bath and try to do a liquid parafine finish to preserve it.