WOAH - V.A. SS 1938 Chin Strap

[Duff]

Today, I was in the war room doing a bit more discovery on some pieces. I had this M42 Heer SD passed down from my Grandfather. He acquired the helmet direct from the vet. I never bothered to take the chin strap off the front rim of the helmet, because naturally markings are on the tip and this tip had been cut. Well, today I did and boy what a surprise... Odd as it is, I noticed the embossed marking of "V.A. SS 1938" on the strap. Very odd, an M42 would have this strap - my Grandpa didn't know either! You can see the mark left by the strap when I removed it from the rim... I have only seen some photos of this marking and the RZM one, most bogus. But, this strap has been on this helmet for decades! Sorry, these photos are poor and I can take more as needed.

Take a look - would love your thoughts! Prost! Duff


Better Pics:

[real steel]

Better pics please

[Duff]

Better pics please

Roger that. What would you like to see?

[real steel]

Well here is a real one. From your one pic...yours looks good.

[Duff]

I posted some more pics. Its hard to get a clear shot of the stamp, ugh... its not as "clean" as your beauty... But, it has all the same character..

[Duff]

Let me see if I can get a better straight on shot... Never had this much trouble taking a picture! lol

[real steel]

I like it.

[Duff]

Man, hard to get a good shot... Best I got!


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I have no idea why these photos are uploading inverted, sorry...

[Duff]

I like it.

Thanks! I know where this helmet came from and it wasn't a back alley... I was pretty damn surprised!

[real steel]

The wear & age on that strap is undoubtedly real. You can compare the ink stamp SS-VT 1938 to the pic I sent you. You decide. It is in your hands.
If you are convinced...got yourself a very rare & valuable strap.