M42 decal on wrong side?

**FNG** · 04-06-2022, 08:13 AM

I had this helmet for a few months at a antique shop and I just noticed...

Is the decal on the wrong side? . Map checked the batch numbers a while back and it's on the tail end before they stopped application of the decals. Any thoughts on it? I believe the decal is 100 percent correct.

**Espenlaub Militaria** · 04-06-2022 08:13 AM

We also buy and trade your items and full collections!

**Danmark** · 04-06-2022, 08:24 AM

Short answer is YES ... but why?.
Long answer is that the maker is ckl ( ET ) and the lot is 3??? ( cant read the stamping ) - BUT the decal drop is 3500 & up so that's important.
As to the decal itself - there are smarter members but it looks like an ET one to me...

**FNG** · 04-06-2022, 08:36 AM

It's really hard to read with it being such a light strike, I think it's 33?

**reneblacky** · 04-06-2022, 08:44 AM

3827? nice shots BTW.

**FNG** · 04-06-2022, 08:46 AM

Yes really hard I tried all angles in the light. It does look like a 38, so if the cut off was 3500 then there shouldn't be a decal on this, it's looks like it's been on there forever

**reneblacky** · 04-06-2022, 08:49 AM

ahh you can't rely on the lot lists, and being on the wrong side could be for any reason. War is War.

**Watchdog** · 04-06-2022, 08:52 AM

by FNG

It's really hard to read with it being such a light strike, I think it's 33?

Looks to me like the 2nd digit is '8', it can't be '3' as it appears to have a round top and bottom. The 3rd digit looks like '2' as it has a round top and an apparently a horizontal linear bottom?

But, as Rene says, I don't have much confidence in the lot code as a "precision" authenticator of date.

No clue about the decal placement. Could be a simple period "error" or a (shortly) post-war application of a genuine decal?

Intriguing.

Mark

**FNG** · 04-06-2022, 08:53 AM

Yes, human error possibly.

**FNG** · 04-06-2022, 08:55 AM

It's definitely 3827. Very well could be a error..true...very valid point being post war added but why...doesn't make sense. The wear on the helmet and around the decal blend very well

**Danmark** · 04-06-2022, 10:13 AM

by FNG

It's definitely 3827. Very well could be a error..true...very valid point being post war added but why...doesn't make sense. The wear on the helmet and around the decal blend very well

Would be good to get Frank, Michael & Terrys' thoughts on it.
#3827 puts it late in 1943 manufacture ( I believe, as Rene said lot dates aren't gospel ) but it certainly is interesting and not just the "run-of-the-mill".