Are these helmets good?

[HoundsTooth]

Attachment 1433562


One thing I have to ask is, does it matter if it's shiny? I do not mean this in a disrespectful way, I just want to learn. My helmet that I have has a sheen or shine to it under certain lighting.


I personally do not care if a liner or chinstrap has been treated to PRESERVE. Now if it had been treated to look authentic, but is not, that's a different story. But for preservation, I have no problem with it.

The second helmet with the decal - the treated liner and chinstrap - this will not preserve the leather. The worse thing you can do is apply any kind of treatment like this. It is a good reason to steer clear of this helmet.

The first helmet with the wire - if you could remove the wire and everything was good underneath then this may be OK. However, there is the possibility that it has had oil / polish applied to the shell and this is not desirable.

Don't be afraid to wait a bit longer and keep searching for something that ticks all the boxes from the start. Soon enough something will come along.

nick

[PotatoDigger]

The second helmet with the decal - the treated liner and chinstrap - this will not preserve the leather. The worse thing you can do is apply any kind of treatment like this. It is a good reason to steer clear of this helmet.

Indeed.
I've read on a website that specialises with leather items that iv you put too much grease on leather it can cause it to oxidize because the pores are plugged, resulting in it turning black, shrinking and quickly deteriorating.
A light treatment may not be harmful for it , but that ought to be something left to a professional restorer.
If you have moldy leather you can treat it with diluted vinegar which will actually help the leather as it's acidic by nature and will also help get rid of the mold.
But as I said, that's mainly the case for moldy leather and liners that are still in nice shape and not dry or brittle definitely won't need anything besides a stable environment.
And those that are in a state of disrepair are also better left to their own devices unless you really know what you're doing.
Sometimes it's best to do nothing at all that doing something that ends up making it worse even with good intentions.


And much like Nick said, best to wait a little longer, ND M42s may be getting scarcer but there's still more than enough to go around.

Luis

[RustyRelics]

Indeed.
ND M42s may be getting scarcer but there's still more than enough to go around.

Luis

That, and I already have one.

[Danmark]

I'm certainly NOT advocating treating the leather of a helmet, but it is a falsehood to say that any form of leather treatment destroys the natural fibre - horse and animal tack has been treated with oils for centuries!

My wife has a 100yr old bridle that ( while she doesn't use it often ) is as supple as the day it was made and it has had it's fair share of treatment over the years.
Glycerine soap, olive, neatsfoot, coconut, flax seed oils have all be used in the past to restore or preserve the tanned skin.

Again, I too believe kept clean, dry and away from harmful UV then no treatment should be necessary - but just clarifying another oft heard misnomer... ( like how oxalic acid will kill you, your family and your neighbours!!! - don't get me started on that! )

Dan

[PotatoDigger]

I'm certainly NOT advocating treating the leather of a helmet, but it is a falsehood to say that any form of leather treatment destroys the natural fibre - horse and animal tack has been treated with oils for centuries!

My wife has a 100yr old bridle that ( while she doesn't use it often ) is as supple as the day it was made and it has had it's fair share of treatment over the years.
Glycerine soap, olive, neatsfoot, coconut, flax seed oils have all be used in the past to restore or preserve the tanned skin.

Again, I too believe kept clean, dry and away from harmful UV then no treatment should be necessary - but just clarifying another oft heard misnomer... ( like how oxalic acid will kill you, your family and your neighbours!!! - don't get me started on that! )

Dan

I agree with you on that.
But as with anything, it's the dose that makes the poison.
If you sparingly treat leather and know what to use it will help it get by better.
But very rarely do collectors seem to know what the right amount is, resulting in what noone wants to see, shrunken cracked black leather.
So I suppose it's just a means to prevent people from having silly ideas.
Like how collectors used to use ballistol oil on leather because in a short term effect it made the leather appear better, but as time passed it ruined it.

As for oxalic acid, it's also something that I'd say caution is better paid around it.
I used to just grab things out of the tub when I was cleaning relics without any gloves, since you don't feel anything when you do so.
But it's better to be safe than sorry.
And it won't kill you but if you want to enjoy some "two tip tummy terrorism", do go ahead, at least from what I heard about it if you eat too much food which contains it.

I don't think anyone will crucify you for say doing something to leather if you know what you're doing.
It'll just be the fear that some Timmy will see it and attempt the same with the DD SS helmet his gramps brought back from the war.
Ending up with a less than optimal result. (just what I think on why this stigma against leather treatment exists)

Conveniently I'll be studying archaeology soon and one chapter is going to focus on restoration and preservation, if I learn anything useful there I'll let you all know, of course.
Luis

[Adravor]

U are gonna study Archeology? Nice! I´m gonna study History and Art History.
I think we both can use the knowledge we gain there for the hobby, and the other way arround, use the knowledge gained in the hobby in University!

[RustyRelics]

Where would y'all be going to study? I'm just getting a career right out of high school, or joining the military.


I think I've made up my mind. I've found an M40 shell, ET62 with a lot number 832.According to Schwerpunkts lot number database, the two closest lot numbers are SD Luftwaffe helmets. I've done the research on it, and I'm going to try an make a good attempt on a restoration. Then I'll paint my last name on the inner rim just like the soldiers did.