Second Opinion on this KM

**GERManAaronNYC** · 05-26-2020, 01:04 AM

Hello all,

I'm looking into purchasing my first KM helmet. I came across this one and to my eye it looks to be legit. Stamping says Q64, the second stamping looks to have faded a bit. But I'd just like a second opinion by someone who has more experience with KM helmets. Thanks for the additional information.

All the best!

**Espenlaub Militaria** · 05-26-2020 01:04 AM

We also buy and trade your items and full collections!

**PaddyD00** · 05-26-2020, 01:17 AM

Hi Friend that looks to be a Bigfoot Heer decal not a KM .... Im looking on my phone haha. But let me look on computer in a few.
Usually we put the Lot Number and Maker listed as well for us to reference easier

Standby but methinks No Good

EDIT - You did say that my mistake!!! Defintely a Bigfoot Quist Heer decal then my friend

**PaddyD00** · 05-26-2020, 01:29 AM

I will tell you right now that there are slimmmm pickens for KMs out there as I am always on the hunt. They are out there but takes patience and know how. You were smart posting here first brother. Nice examples will cost you alot of money. I lucked out with mine but story for another day. This "Heer" helmet though decal wise seems legit. Just not a KM by any means. Laquer can tone these silver Hue decals to a Golden shade confusing collectors for decades. You hear the term "Toned Heer" very often when someone says "Look at my new KM Helmet!!!"

**GERManAaronNYC** · 05-26-2020, 01:36 AM

So is the ridge that I'm seeing (or at least thinking I am) around the eagle appear also on Heer decals?

**PaddyD00** · 05-26-2020, 01:49 AM

I'm not seeing any raised edge on that wing personally. Also sometimes the ridge is absolutely undetectable so the best way to start to recognize them is 1) Look for a deep Golden Color throughout and 2) Is to learn about the styles and which ones appear on which shells. Frank a member here has a great site that breaks it down nicely ( germanhelmetvault.com ). Then there are more complex nerd KM decal convos to have after that happens

A Quist Bigfoot Kriegsmarine doesnt exist

**PaddyD00** · 05-26-2020, 02:10 AM

by GERManAaronNYC

So is the ridge that I'm seeing (or at least thinking I am) around the eagle appear also on Heer decals?

Just to confuse matters there are very early ET style Heer decals that do have ridges (multi-layer construction). But they are very rare and they are not Quist Bigfoots. Heres a Heer w Multi Layer construction like a KM (look at the Swaz) on one of mine

**GERManAaronNYC** · 05-26-2020, 02:21 AM

Oh man. It seems like every time I find a helmet and then go through all the research I have, there is an exception that I haven't read yet.

**PaddyD00** · 05-26-2020, 02:32 AM

I heer that my brother (wow a Dad Third Reich decal joke and I dont have kids). The German Helmet Vault site breaks it down pretty good ... Just keep posting. Its been a bit of a slow down for helms lately due to Covid but one will come along .... If I dont get there first (evil laughter). One gorgrous one was listed today for close to 7K. Too rich for my blood right now

Same site I PMd you last time you were looking for a KM if you go back.

**Danmark** · 05-26-2020, 03:04 AM

What looks "ridge-like" could be a well defined lacquer outline?

**MAP** · 05-26-2020, 03:31 AM

This is most certainly a toned Heer. I do think we have seen this helmet posted here before.

Q KM's (as far as I am aware) are not the Big Foot variant. They used a similar design as the ET/SE KM helmets according to Ken's Decal book.

Here is a very good example of a two layer Heer ET decal, supposedly only produced for a short window in '39 (and even then, it could just as easily be a KM that was misprinted without enough gold pulver?? But the consensus is that they are deemed to be Heer decals. But we will never know??? LoL).