M40 Unique Wired Hemet-Wired visor

**lazer4856** · 02-19-2018, 02:54 PM

A few doozies have come up on the other forum. Simply just looking for any info on this one. Seeing if anyone has opinions on what appears to be some sort of wire visor. Is this a fantasy set up someone created years ago? Was it common for Forward Observer positions? whats its purpose? Is it even genuine?

**Espenlaub Militaria** · 02-19-2018 02:54 PM

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**Tank Destroyer** · 02-19-2018, 03:09 PM

I can not comment if it is a real wired camo but I will say I have never seen this look before but I do like the concept. I see wear under the rim and one of the wires(decal side) is in a different place than the wear mark on the rim, I wonder if it was moved back would the wear to the decal match the wire? Of course my track record with camo is bad and may have wasted everyone's time with this post.
I guess I did comment on the camo.....
Marty

**real steel** · 02-19-2018, 04:02 PM

Anyones guess for originality. Really impossible to say yes or no without provenance. Some of these wires I have observed, I find hard to believe a GI would stuff these into a duffel bag to bring home. I am sure there were many other means of obtaining a helmet in 1945 than a GI bringhome...but most here in the states, that's how surviving examples were obtained.

**Schwerpunkt** · 02-19-2018, 05:57 PM

by real steel

Anyones guess for originality. Really impossible to say yes or no without provenance. Some of these wires I have observed, I find hard to believe a GI would stuff these into a duffel bag to bring home. I am sure there were many other means of obtaining a helmet in 1945 than a GI bringhome...but most here in the states, that's how surviving examples were obtained.

Exactly my thoughts too , GI's often pulled the wire off even. If not immediately for sure in later years.
I don't believe in this contraption.

**MAP** · 02-19-2018, 06:06 PM

Photos are just a bit too blurry and not focusing on key elements or angles so you really can't get a good close up view....coincidence?

In the few areas where the wire is touching the helmet I see no wear or interaction. With a contraption like this I would expect it to be jostled around quite a bit and thus significant signs of wire to helmet wear/abrasion.

But I stay away from wires so my knowledge is limited.

**Martin C** · 02-19-2018, 06:10 PM

I do not believe that the chicken wire is correct for the period that is supposed to represent.

Mart

**helmet2id** · 02-19-2018, 06:24 PM

I can't imagine a combat soldier creating this configuration which would make the helmet quite unwieldy in the field. In my opinion a fantasy piece. Jim G.

**MAP** · 02-19-2018, 06:41 PM

by helmet2id

I can't imagine a combat soldier creating this configuration which would make the helmet quite unwieldy in the field. In my opinion a fantasy piece. Jim G.

Actually Jim. I completely disagree with you.

This is a known DAK "Speckkocher" style wire pattern

Used by soldiers who were not able to get to the rear to eat their bacon and eggs for breakfast. All they did was put a few slices of bacon and eggs (on some tinfoil of course) on the grate while they were in their forward observation post. In a few minutes time...bingo....Breakfast is served.

It also did double duty as a sock dryer.

**real steel** · 02-19-2018, 06:54 PM

Maybe "far fetched" but I could see something similar as this being used by a machine gunner or sniper tucked away & in a stationary position. Cover the peak with foliage & it would make a pretty good concealed helmet