German Helmet = any ideas what this is?

[wazandy]

I picked this up in Eastern Europe in the early nineties.

I've had a few people check it, one militaria museum in Australia thought it could be a 'transitional helmet' - but I've no idea. I know the lining is probably post-war.. see what you think. I'm desperate for some sort of informed opinion!

For reference, this is what I received from the war museum in Canberra..

Hi Andy

Thanks for the images of your German helmet. I can't claim to be a great expert on the Second World War helmet (I have always been more interested in the WWI examples) and I don't have access to any of the standard works on the subject. You may wish to find and consult such books as:

Combat Helmets of the Third Reich
by Thomas Kibler
Reddick Enterprises, 2005

German Helmets Of The Second World War
by Branislav Radovic
Schiffer Publications, 2002

which may provide information on the markings in your helmet.

However, having looked at your images, it would appear to me that your helmet is probably an M1942. I can see no reason to doubt that it is genuine, although the manufacturer 'CK 6' (or possibly 'CK16'?) does not appear in any on the references I have found. Equally, the size marking '55 8' is not a standard one, as these normally begin at 60 and run through to 68 or 70. One wonders, given its known history, whether your helmet could be a licence made Czech example, which might account for the 'CK' manufacturer?

The liner looks a fairly typical later war example, which may have some manufacturer's stamps or markings somewhere on it. I didn't think that the black paint was original, but it appears to extend to the inside of the helmet as well, which means that, if it has been repainted, the liner must have been removed before it was done. This is quite possible, particularly given the very large rivets which currently attach the liner to the helmet. These do not look original to me, so a post-war refurbishment of some kind seems likely.

Sorry I can't tell you more about this interesting helmet, but hopefully this will give you a few pointers to further areas of research.

Best wishes


Nick Fletcher

Nick Fletcher
Senior Curator
Military Heraldry and Technology
Australian War Memorial
(02) 6243 4281

There's a stamp at the rear back lip of the helmet.

From what I can see, it reads: CK | 6 |
55 8










- And this is a poor quality (iphone shot) of the interior markings..




Also, on the inside strap, I can see (just about) the number '57' but it's very feint.

Any clues? This is driving me nuts!!!

Thanks guys. Seriously.

[wazandy]

Anything, even the smallest clue....!

[Pierre N]

you have better pic of air vent ?

[wazandy]

All I have here is my iphone, but here goes...

This is the side vent.




And here's a (pretty awful shot) of the vent, as seen from the inside.

[Pierre N]

the shell look like m-42 the factory maker mark ckl is for :Eisenhuttenwerke, Thale, the liner is not original
but is only my opinion , !

[wazandy]

One of the reasons I'm posting this is because I have someone who wants to buy it off me.

If this was your helmet, what do you believe something like this would be worth?

$100 $200? +?

The guy's trying to screw me, so any help would be appreciated (and not quoted!)

Thanks mate...

[Dimas]

Just a repainted shell for approx 80 USD

[j dubbel]

dont forget

firemen and police jused these kind of helmets after the war
untill 55

[Lars]

dont forget

firemen and police jused these kind of helmets after the war
untill 55

I agree postwar used M42 helmet (wartime shell but repainted postwar wit postwar liner)

Cheers
Lars

[JPhilip]

As others said, most likely a ckl M42 postwar stripped and repainted in black, with new liner....maybe for firemen....not worth a lot...
I would rather say that you own a quite rare transitional helmet, but it's not the case...sorry