German M35 (M40) Helmet Needs New Leather

Picked up a fairly nice M40 helmet yesterday at an antique shop. Very little rust, just a couple of very light spots. Paint seems to be original on the outside and inside with the exception of the inside rim between the liner and the rim where silver paint was applied. No dents, no cracks, no decals.

Helmet is a Quist, Q68 over T3399 in rear. Rolled edge, pressed air vents. No visible dome stamp.

Liner is marked 68nA over 61 on one side and 1943 and what looks like InChburg 5.7m plus another word above that I can't make out.

The liner bands are in great shape, the felt is fine but the leather is gone other than little fragments between the two bands. The chin straps are also gone.

What I would like to do with this is replace the leather and put a new chin strap on it. What I can't find is how exactly to go about doing this. It looks like I could carefully remove the aluminum pins, pull the existing liner remains out and then install the new one without pulling the entire thing out running the risk of breaking the three main pins or something else in the process.

Any suggestions?

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Nice find, Quite easy to remove, the pins are a split pin type and the retainer has two slots in it.

Where the pin is, You need to separate the liner (pull the inner away from the outer) you will see the two legs bent over opposite to each other straighten these and remove the retainer and remove the pin, sounds easy but is a finger and thumbs job, also be careful with the pin when straightening the legs.

Pins themselves are marked can't remember much now but you could still get originals if you do damage one, have a look on this site Original German Helmet liner bands and pins

A good quick photo guide of helmets is : Combat helmets of the third reich. By Thomas Kibler

So how about this one? Like I said, I would only replace the leather not the liner rings. The only issue I can see is that the pins holding the leather/felt ring are about half the size of mine. But then I'd re-use mine so not a huge issue. I'd buy just the leather but they don't come pre-sewn that I can see and do not have the small leather grommets attached for the string holes.

PERFECT REPLICA!!! German Helmet LINER. Also suitable for the helmet 35,40,42. | eBay

I assume I would order the 68/61 size as that is what my liner ring says.

I also can't tell for sure if the chin strap pins come apart, not the pin I guess but the leather. Appears to be a small slit in the one photo but not sure. Does not look like a rivet.

The chin strap does come apart think the button is riveted on one side of the strap, the end goes through the liner buckle and then pushes over the button where the slit is.

Original parts are still out there, I'd look for a broken liner complete with leather etc.... also original chin straps. If its any help I can keep my eyes open at the War and Peace show tomorrow for you if you'd like ?

This is the biggest Military vehicle and militaria show in Europe (I would say world ) there is not enough time in one day to see it all , but armed with a list of things its easy to ignore some some stalls and see some of the vehicles, the smaller private stalls that sell anything are the ones that the bargains turn up. I'd say there is a very good chance of finding what you need.

Unless your prices are better than here, they are asking more for original liners here than I paid for the helmet and the helmet wasn't exactly cheap. I'm comfortable with repros for now as I use these items as displays and let people handle them and such.

Sometimes things can be had for very little, its surprising what you can get if you dig deep........its the antique stalls etc that have very few Military items that can reveal some hidden gems. If I do find something for peanuts will let you know.

International Military Antiques in New Jersey should have repros.

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Originally Posted by Brian Dick

International Military Antiques in New Jersey should have repros.

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They do but they look like crap. Nothing against IMA, I buy from them on a regular basis but not this time on the helmet liner.

I opted to go with the seller on the link I posted. Took some time and looked around and his seemed to be the nicest and most correct I could find and his price was either in line or less than what others were asking. Will take a few weeks to arrive. I'll post some photos when it's installed.

My hand eye coordination needs work but I was bored and thought I would make an attempt on this yesterday. Old liner came out no problems. New one was a bit of a challenge considering my current circumstances and as such I was unable to complete it. The last two pins do no line up with the leather holes. Other than that, It looks great and was not a major issue swapping out. I expect when I can look at things more clearly, I'll be able to make needed ajustments to get it right. I spent over an hour on it and was just exhausted. I kept the original metal liner in place. Had to use 3 new repro rivets for the leather but used originals for the rest.

Finally was able to finish the installation this evening. Had two rivets I just couldn't get in but went about it a little differently and got them in in a few minutes. So helmet shell, liner rings and all but 6 of the rivets are original. Leather liner and wool/felt ring and chin strap are new. I think it came out pretty good. Plan on wearing it when sweaty to get an "aged" look to it eventually.

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Originally Posted by Aragorn243

Plan on wearing it when sweaty

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Looks like you started already...

Doesn't take much these days.