Relic Helmets from Estonia

[Paul D]

Further clues !!

[HetzersGonnaHetz]

That really is something special mate, is that the last remaining bit of cover on the helmet? If so it's almost as if you were supposed to find it when you did before that piece rotted away too!

RIP to those of the Danmark who perished in Estonia. Narva isn't an area I know enough about considering the scale of the the fighting, certainly wasn't an area I knew anything about until I followed your posts on here. Will definitely have to get Tieke's book.

Thanks for sharing, great thread, hopefully more to be shared soon.

[Paul D]

Yes that was the last piece on that lid but here is another one found in the same location . Incredible what can be preserved in different ground / soil conditions !

[HetzersGonnaHetz]

Amazing that the light green is still shining proudly. Got really lucky there with the state of the soil, I think Dimas said earlier in this thread that in farmers fields the chemicals used to help crops grow will have seeped into the grown and begin to erode whatever lies beneath, but if you strike a decent peat bog you're on the money.

[PotatoDigger]

Yes that was the last piece on that lid but here is another one found in the same location . Incredible what can be preserved in different ground / soil conditions !

Yeah indeed, I once found part of a US .30 cal cloth ammo belt and the canvas belt is still mostly preserved, I'll see if I have some pics of it somewhere.
Luis

[Jan]

Hi guys,

Please respect the dark WW2 heritage of Europe. Careful ethic consideration is advised for all of you trading or buying these relics. The times they are a changing.

Best, Jan

[Bavarian]

I agree full with you Jan,
Ive found myself many relicts and bought a lot
If the helmet have a headshotdamage, the Original owner can be not be far away
This is one point because I am dont buy any holed relicts anymore
BTW cool relict helmets
BR
Bavarian

[HetzersGonnaHetz]

Hi guys,

Please respect the dark WW2 heritage of Europe. Careful ethic consideration is advised for all of you trading or buying these relics. The times they are a changing.

Best, Jan

Well said Jan, I think all the contributors to this thread are fully aware of the ethical environment of battlefield archaeology, however for those who may be new to WRF or guests just visiting who don't know us well it could seem as if there is something insidious going on with the retrieval and/or trade of these relic helmets presented. I sadly cannot speak for the whole relic helmet trade because as we know Black Diggers are a huge issue, but I speak for myself when I say I know where my relics have come from and am confident in the ethics of their retrieval.

Best wishes
Harvey

[Jan]

Thank you for your kind response.

Not judging anyone, just trying to raise the general awareness of things. It was only some 10 years ago when "yours truly" started to realize the havoc caused by black digging especially in Russia, Courland (Latvia) and Narva (Estonia).

Best, Jan

[AndyM35]

Unless you actually witness the helmet coming out of the ground you don’t really know what the true story behind it is. It may be from a battle site dropped by a fleeing soldier or it could be from a burial site. There are many that will ignore the morals of respect and sacrosanct to make a quick dollar. Relic helmets are also no longer safe from the scourge of the faker as exemplified by the fake decal on this relic helmet (see below). So by all means collect relic helmets, they are fascinating reminders of WW2 but unless you personally dig them up don’t fool yourself that they are not from a grave site and as relics the decals on them must be legitimate.
Andy