WarHats.com

  • About
  • Store
    • WW2 American Helmets
    • WW2 American Soft Headwear
    • WW2 British Soft Headwear
    • WW2 German Helmets >
      • Fallschirmjäger Helmets
      • Waffen-SS-Helmets
      • Luftwaffe-Helmets
      • Heer-Helmets
    • WW2 German Soft Headwear >
      • U-Boat Caps
      • Luftwaffe Caps
      • Allgemeine SS Caps
      • Heer & Police Caps
      • Waffen SS Caps
      • Zeppelin Officers Caps
      • Kriegsmarine Caps
      • NSDAP-Caps
    • WW2 Helmet & Hat Accessories
    • WW2 British Helmets
    • WW1 British Helmets
    • WW1 German Helmets
    • WW1 German Soft Headwear
    • WW1 Allied Soft Headwear
    • WW1 Helmet & Hat Accessories
    • Other Periods Hats & Headwear >
      • British Early 19th & 20th Century Hats & Helmets
      • American Civil War Hats Caps Kepis
      • Film Hats Helmets LARP Steampunk
      • Vintage Yachting Caps Hats and accessories
    • Other Periods Hats & Headwear Accessories
    • Military Books
    • Genuine Militaria
  • Support
  • Instructions
  • Refurbishment
  • Testimonials
  • Contact
    • Contact Us
    • Newsletter
  • About
  • Store
    • WW2 American Helmets
    • WW2 American Soft Headwear
    • WW2 British Soft Headwear
    • WW2 German Helmets >
      • Fallschirmjäger Helmets
      • Waffen-SS-Helmets
      • Luftwaffe-Helmets
      • Heer-Helmets
    • WW2 German Soft Headwear >
      • U-Boat Caps
      • Luftwaffe Caps
      • Allgemeine SS Caps
      • Heer & Police Caps
      • Waffen SS Caps
      • Zeppelin Officers Caps
      • Kriegsmarine Caps
      • NSDAP-Caps
    • WW2 Helmet & Hat Accessories
    • WW2 British Helmets
    • WW1 British Helmets
    • WW1 German Helmets
    • WW1 German Soft Headwear
    • WW1 Allied Soft Headwear
    • WW1 Helmet & Hat Accessories
    • Other Periods Hats & Headwear >
      • British Early 19th & 20th Century Hats & Helmets
      • American Civil War Hats Caps Kepis
      • Film Hats Helmets LARP Steampunk
      • Vintage Yachting Caps Hats and accessories
    • Other Periods Hats & Headwear Accessories
    • Military Books
    • Genuine Militaria
  • Support
  • Instructions
  • Refurbishment
  • Testimonials
  • Contact
    • Contact Us
    • Newsletter

Refurbishment > WW2 German M38 Paratrooper Relic Helmet Refurbishment

WW2 German M38 Paratrooper Relic Helmet Refurbishment:


After reading about the attributes of Oxalic Acid and its abilities to remove rust but retain paint and other non-rusty parts such as rubber and leather we thought we should give it a try. We spoke to a few people first and apparently they use this in museums and other restoration facilities.

It's just a stronger vinegar apparently but has nasty fumes and will burn the skin so if you try this at home make sure you wear rubber gloves, eye protection and a full NBC (Nuclear Biological & Chemical), suit if you are going to spill the stuff on your skin - we take no responsibility for you trying this at home. Also make sure the area is well ventilated.

So we chose a helmet which had leather, rubber, some paint and a galvanised grommet as well as lots of dirt and rust present. This is a M38 German Paratrooper Helmet which has received several areas of battle damage. One thing is for sure, if a para was wearing this he would not have survived as we counted at least 5 shell or mortar damaged holes, both inward and outward. So we dedicate this helmet to the Fallschirmjaeger who was wearing it, we hope he would prefer it restored and on display rather than just rusting away in some distant battlefield.

German M38 Para Helmet as found
German M38 Para Helmet as found inside
German M38 Para Helmet as found battle damage
We mixed approx 6% Oxalic Acid to 94% water. And placed the helmet in the solution. We left it overnight and then scrubbed it with both a natural brush and a nylon washing up brush. We could have used thick wire wool but we did not want any of the natural steel to show through or it to look restored aggressively.

We found that we had to leave it for 6 days, scrubbing twice a day to get rid of the heavy dirt and rust impregnations. The water turns green by about day two!
German M38 Para Helmet in Oxalic Acid
German M38 Para Helmet being scrubbed in Oxalic Acid
German M38 Paratrooper Helmet in Oxalic Acid
The three pictures below show the helmet on day 6 and just as it was taken out of the Oxalic Acid solution and after being soaked in Baking Soda for an hour to neutralise the acid. Notice how some areas have started to dry out out while the rest are still wet. There is a green tone to the helmet and we think this is partly due to the acid and also partly its natural colour showing through in areas.
 
M38 mPara Helmet after Oxalic Acid Treatment
M38 mPara Helmet after Oxalic Acid Treatment Dry Areas
M38 mPara Helmet after Oxalic Acid Treatment Battle Damage
The pictures below show the helmet fully dried out after being neutralised with Baking soda. Notice how it looks green but also unnatural and dry in appearance.
M38 mPara Helmet after Oxalic Acid Treatment Dry
M38 mPara Helmet after Oxalic Acid Treatment Dry Right view
M38 mPara Helmet after Oxalic Acid Treatment battle damage dry
We have now sealed, fed and preserved the helmet with appropriate sealer. You can use light oil, furniture spray or similar products to do this. This prevents it re-rusting and keeps it looking well maintained rather than just a rust bucket. If you do this over several months it builds up a nice deep natural looking patina.
Restored M38 after oxalic acid treatement and sealing liquid
Restored M38 after oxalic acid treatement and sealed
Restored M38 after oxalic acid treatement battle damaged and sealed
The completed helmet - before and after pictures:
M38 Helmet Before Restoration
M38 Before Restoration
M38 Helmet After Restoration
M38 After Restoration
So we think that the pictures above show that restoring a relic helmet can be rewarding and take it a step back in time to a closer match to the way it was. The acid had no effect on the rubber or leather chinstrap (there was a piece still attached on the inside). It did however colour the zinc coated grommet under the M38 bolt a copper colour!

WarHats.com only sells products with historical value for collectors, museums, films, stage plays and research purposes. We do not, in any case, associate or have association with National Socialism, the Third Reich Period, Political Parties and/or current para military organizations. Items with the third Reich offensive symbols will not be sent to: Australia, Austria, Israel, Hungary, Germany, France & Italy. All other items are OK to purchase!
    
English  |  Deutsch  |   Français

    
Contact Us
| Terms & Conditions  |  Privacy & Cookies Policy  |  Cookies Policy | Links | Newsletter | Wholesale | Search

Translate this page into your language:



Dont miss out on new items, subscribe to our newsletter:

Newsletter
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Copyright© 2025 www.WarHats.com