Relic Helmets interesting Article

We came across this article on collecting relic helmets. There are a few points we find interesting.

http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/articles/germany/german-helmet-relics/4156


Quote - “The high qualities of original helmets which have survived post war are few and restricted to prime collectors.”

We disagree there are many helmets in prime collections but there are just as many in individual collections, they turn up at yard sales and car boot sales every week. We were lucky enough to come across an original double decal M38 from the Narvik Area with full history which was used by kids as a toy.

So the point is that there are still helmets to be found out there and not just in prime collections.

Quote – “With hundreds of dollars worth of investment you can get basic relic shells which are damaged and rusted and with only a fraction of the decal visible. So one might wonder if it is actually a good investment and worth getting into.”

The price of helmets continue to rise, even in a recession (although at a lesser rate). Relic helmets are a good way for the beginner to get into collecting and depending on the condition learn about the aspects of the helmet that will help in collecting better examples. As an example we have a relic German Fallschirmjager (Paratrooper) helmet. Everything is intact, other than the holes where shrapnel went through the shell. Much of the strap stitching is coming apart but interesting enough the inside of the straps were padded with newspaper (German of course).

You are unlikely to learn this sort of thing unless you have a relic helmet. We paid £300 for this helmet, and the features that can be seen are worth every penny when it comes to buy a better example. Its all about using the helmets you have to buy better examples and yes replicas fit into this category also.