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  1. #1
    Legacy Member boristhepig's Avatar
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    M42 Helmet ?

    Hi
    I would like an appraisal of this helmets shell, I know that the liner is a replacement and the shell has been reconditioned/painted. But was originally under the impression that the shell was original.
    The ET64 and lot number stamps look good, But looking closer at the inside of the shell I notice 2 spot marks to the front and centre (see the last picture) that are giving me doubts.
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    A Collector's View - The SMLE Short Magazine Lee Enfield 1903-1989. It is 300 8.5x11 inch pages with 1,000+ photo’s, most in color, and each book is serial-numbered.  Covering the SMLE from 1903 to the end of production in India in 1989 it looks at how each model differs and manufacturer differences from a collecting point of view along with the major accessories that could be attached to the rifle. For the record this is not a moneymaker, I hope just to break even, eventually, at $80/book plus shipping.  In the USA shipping is $5.00 for media mail.  I will accept PayPal, Zelle, MO and good old checks (and cash if you want to stop by for a tour!).  CLICK BANNER to send me a PM for International pricing and shipping. Manufacturer of various vintage rifle scopes for the 1903 such as our M73G4 (reproduction of the Weaver 330C) and Malcolm 8X Gen II (Unertl reproduction). Several of our scopes are used in the CMP Vintage Sniper competition on top of 1903 rifles. Brian Dick ... BDL Ltd. - Specializing in British and Commonwealth weapons Specializing in premium ammunition and reloading components. Your source for the finest in High Power Competition Gear. Here at T-bones Shipwrighting we specialise in vintage service rifle: re-barrelling, bedding, repairs, modifications and accurizing. We also provide importation services for firearms, parts and weapons, for both private or commercial businesses.
     

  3. #2
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    Been a while since I had a few Germanicon helmets mainly M35 M40 only a few M42's but don't recall the spot marks, the Size ET64 looks like it stands proud rather than stamped also ?? hard to say from pics. Someone may chime in and compare there helmet, I was always shy of helmets with replaced liners unless the helmet was in a distressed state.

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    Contributing Member Gil Boyd's Avatar
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    Being half Germanicon, I have seen Fire helmets made to look like the real McCoy, but I can't for the life of me remember if ET64 featured in them as it was a makers name. I mention Fire, but it could just be the angle of the photos!! Has this been resprayed can you see? Also odd that the edges are not turned inwards and rolled simetrically. Fakes can always be spotted by the rolled over lip being all over the place.
    Here is a video on Youtube that might help with the stamps but there are oodles of pieces to llok at if you are concerned. To my eye I would say it looks OK, sadly I can't tell you the class it was made for!

    Last edited by Gil Boyd; 06-27-2018 at 10:48 AM.
    'Tonight my men and I have been through hell and back again, but the look on your faces when we let you out of the hall - we'd do it all again tomorrow.' Major Chris Keeble's words to Goose Green villagers on 29th May 1982 - 2 PARA

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    Advisory Panel browningautorifle's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Gil Boyd View Post
    I have seen Fire helmets made to look like the real McCoy
    That was my first thought, looks so very tall to be a combat helmet. The edge of the hole in the side looks wrong too, sort of concave where it should be more of a rim.

    I'm thinking it's a repro.
    Last edited by browningautorifle; 06-27-2018 at 10:46 AM.
    Regards, Jim

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    Legacy Member boristhepig's Avatar
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    Thread Starter
    Hi
    The ET64 is definitely stamped and the helmet has been repainted. I have been looking all over the web and haven't come across those type of spot marks on an original or a repo.

    I have added some more pictures

  8. #6
    Contributing Member Gil Boyd's Avatar
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    Boris,
    I believe the numerical stamps are correct, not sure about the rim, which, if I was about to buy it, would deter me. May be a rational explanation for it, but every helmet on my family side had turned up very precise Germanicon rims!!
    'Tonight my men and I have been through hell and back again, but the look on your faces when we let you out of the hall - we'd do it all again tomorrow.' Major Chris Keeble's words to Goose Green villagers on 29th May 1982 - 2 PARA

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    Gil, its an M42 it never had a rolled rim like the M35 and M40.

    Forgot to mention a handy colour paperback book, Combat Helmets of the Third Reich (A study in photographs) by Thomas Kibler.
    Last edited by bigduke6; 06-27-2018 at 12:34 PM.

  10. #8
    Contributing Member Gil Boyd's Avatar
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    Geoff,
    Does that then direct it more to Civil service like the Fire Brigade?
    'Tonight my men and I have been through hell and back again, but the look on your faces when we let you out of the hall - we'd do it all again tomorrow.' Major Chris Keeble's words to Goose Green villagers on 29th May 1982 - 2 PARA

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    Gil, it was another cost saving exercise, the M40 did away the rivet constructed vent hole and was pressed instead, can't remember what else was done on M40, the M42 was another design to cut costs as the rolled edge was removed and if you look on google and compare the M42 with the others there is a slight angle on the last 1/4" to give it strength. This would of been the standard issue from then on.

    At the time cost cutting was everything, as Hitlers European tour wasn't going to plan, one thing that also came about on reducing machining and cost was the MG42....... think these were the first guns or one of the first to use hammer forged barrels...... and speaking of MG42, you only have to look at the Gimpy and see where the trigger mech and bipod come from.......

  12. #10
    Contributing Member Gil Boyd's Avatar
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    Always seemed to me to be a great bullet catcher the Germanicon helmets
    'Tonight my men and I have been through hell and back again, but the look on your faces when we let you out of the hall - we'd do it all again tomorrow.' Major Chris Keeble's words to Goose Green villagers on 29th May 1982 - 2 PARA

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