German Helmet

[tower06]

My father in law inherited this from his deceased father. Has had it for years. Look like a M40 to me, but wanted to see if anyone could provide more info. Its named, and what he was able to find out, the named soldier was killed in 1944. Any ideas for value in this condition.

[jond41403]

I have no idea what to tell you on value and I'm not an expert by any means but I can see a bidding war over something like this. It is in excellent condition. You just don't see things like this everyday and I'm sure it will command a very high price I would imagine. Hopefully the experts will come along and give you an idea of value. Thank you for posting and sharing this though, that is a beautiful piece of history if it is in fact all genuine. I love the personalized lightning bolts on either side of his name and number. If you had that in the right auction house in front of the right people, I bet it could potentially go through the roof. Hopefully Aragorn well chime in, he's familiar with all sorts of helmets and gear from all nationalities

[browningautorifle]

Administrative Corporal...would be like a clerk. Yes. it could go high. Nicely marks and no detractions. I had one similar that my own dad brought back from Normandy(he said) marked and bloodstained.

[tj214]

You might be able to get considerable info the man who owned this helmet by contacting Jean-Loup@Gassend.com, who posts all sorts of interesting analyses of WW II war dead based on things like found dogtags, marked helmets and other equipment, etc. He posts on Youtube as CrocodileTear.

Sometimes a history to go along with an item increases its value and sometimes it doesn't, but I think you'll find the journey interesting.

[Aragorn243]

I'm no helmet expert, know just enough to get myself into trouble.

To me it looks legit and original. It is in very good condition. Value depends on a lot of things, is there another decal on the other side? Most M40's only have one. With the rolled edge, this was produced prior to mid 1942 unless it's a Quist, they continued till the end of the war.

Value again, I'm no expert but prices have skyrocketed on these in recent years. $500+ would be my guess.

[tower06]

You might be able to get considerable info the man who owned this helmet by contacting Jean-Loup@Gassend.com, who posts all sorts of interesting analyses of WW II war dead based on things like found dogtags, marked helmets and other equipment, etc. He posts on Youtube as CrocodileTear.

Sometimes a history to go along with an item increases its value and sometimes it doesn't, but I think you'll find the journey interesting.

I reached out. Looks like it came from 267 Grenadier 94 Infanterie Div. They were out of Italy apparently. As for tracing the name, he mentioned there are quite a few Petzold's. Would need someone to look through the files in Berlin since nothing is digitized.

---------- Post added at 10:11 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:07 AM ----------

I'm no helmet expert, know just enough to get myself into trouble.

To me it looks legit and original. It is in very good condition. Value depends on a lot of things, is there another decal on the other side? Most M40's only have one. With the rolled edge, this was produced prior to mid 1942 unless it's a Quist, they continued till the end of the war.

Value again, I'm no expert but prices have skyrocketed on these in recent years. $500+ would be my guess.

Single decal. Confirmed with my father in law. He apparently has a notebook from his father that documents all the items he had. Its a matter of finding it he said. Misplaced 30 years ago. He may have more info about the helmet in there. He had note cards for all his rifles and pistols as well, outlined date, place of purchase and price.

[jond41403]

Are there any members here that are in or near Berlin that could help out? This forum is worldwide and hopefully someone in that area will see this and reach out to you and help look through the non-digitized files. Reaching out to crocodile tears was a smart move. He has done incredible research and found incredible information in his past videos on items he has came across. Maybe he knows someone in or near Berlin that he could put you in touch with to help?

[tower06]

Are there any members here that are in or near Berlin that could help out? This forum is worldwide and hopefully someone in that area will see this and reach out to you and help look through the non-digitized files. Reaching out to crocodile tears was a smart move. He has done incredible research and found incredible information in his past videos on items he has came across. Maybe he knows someone in or near Berlin that he could put you in touch with to help?

I appreciate that. Didnt even think to ask if any Berlin forum members.

[oldfoneguy]

That particular helmet is in the bet condition I've seen one in since I was in my teens 50 years ago.

[tower06]

That particular helmet is in the bet condition I've seen one in since I was in my teens 50 years ago.

So my FiL found the notebook with the information. His grandfather apparently received it for a veteran in 1945 by the name of Bill Staeger. Mr. Staeger apparently picked it up as a war souvenir during his time overseas. That's about all I've been able to find out thus far.