Original Helmet components

   On this page is a selection of original Helmet components.  Most of these are sourced from helmets that have been dismantled to refurbish as restored helmets. (Please note; Being a collector myself, I am averse to "destroying" a quality, original helmet. All helmets that I salvage for parts are no longer collectible due to having been repainted or damaged in some other way) I generally have a stock of various parts in assorted sizes with assorted markings. The items listed on this page represent the best that I have as far as condition. If you are in need of something that you do not see here, send me an e-mail and let me know.

   At the bottom of this page is a series of "Fake Alerts". You may want to check them out in order to be more aware of what to look for in deciding whether a Helmet component is reproduction or genuine.

   Once again: ALL items on this page carry a LIFETIME guarantee of 100% originality.

CLICK on any photo to see a full size image

               

Item # 201: WW2 German helmet Chinstrap, late war unissued

   I have always been the first to warn anybody to watch out for any "original un-issued" items supposedly found in storage. But every now and then it still is possible to find such things. These chinstraps are in original UN-ISSUED condition. They are part of a small lot that was found last year in Europe. A fellow whom I do business with over there is a picker who frequents estate sales and such. In the house of a deceased man there was found about 150 original chinstraps. Most were destroyed by moisture or other elements. many others were found loose around the house. Some where buckled together to make long straps that held together bundles of old newspapers. There were three original un-opened bundles each containing 20 chinstraps. (see below photos) I have obtained one of these bundles.

   Each strap is maker marked with an RB number and a '44 date. Each is in the same un-issued condition with no use whatsoever. The leather is still pliable enough that these straps will bend at the ends for installation into your helmet. It broke my heart to break the strings on this bundle but I probably couldn't find somebody to buy the whole lot so practicality being what it is, I have separated them to sell individually. Price is $165 each. (Please, there is no need to ask me to "hand-pick" one. Really, they are all in identical condition.)

Item # 239: WW2 German helmet split-pins

I have several sets of original WW2 split-pins with washers. These are later war made and are NOT maker marked. They have been repainted in black as they were used post-war in Czech fire-brigade helmets. The black paint can easily be stripped and repainted to match your helmet. Some of them may have dented heads. Price per set of three with original washers; $25.00

Item # 240: WW2 German helmet shells, original pre-1945

I am able to offer helmets shells in the following sizes/models. Each helmet is 100% original pre-1945 German issue. ( NOT post-war or Spanish) These helmets have no original paint but will be free of rust and will have no cracks or significant dents. I have only the following models/sizes available. Please do not send e-mails asking about other models/sizes. If I have them available for sale, they are listed below.

Model M42, size 66;    $135.00            Model M42, size 64;    $90.00

FAKE ALERT ! #1 (chinstraps) ...There are many many reproduction chinstraps being offered for sale as originals. Many of them are advertised as mint un-issued, found in a ware house. I can tell you that I have been traveling the world, buying and selling helmets and militaria for 20+ years. There is NO SUCH THING as a warehouse of un-issued helmet straps and there has never been an un-issued supply of them "found". The reproductions mostly come from eastern European craftsmen who will produce extreme quality work. (At what we would call "discount" rates.)  Watch out for chinstraps that have never been mounted, watch out for chinstraps that still smell of leather. (new leather will retain its smell for 5-10 years)

MARKINGS: Chin strap maker markings alone are not the way to tell if a particular chinstrap is authentic or reproduction. The people who are manufacturing chinstraps with the intention of fooling collectors, are making metal stamps to mark their product in an authentic fashion. These markings, for the most part, are copied from known originals. In my travels in eastern Europe and through my contacts overseas, I have visited these places where the "fakers" have established their "factories". I have seen what they are doing and have viewed the best reproductions currently being made. Another note on markings; a full 50% of original straps I have encountered are unmarked in any way.

BUCKLES: More than 50% of all original steel buckles were painted grey or grey green. I have observed many that were unpainted. As far as reproductions, I have observed at least 5 different variations. Only one of them comes close, in my opinion. There is a new reproduction that is being made with specially struck aluminum buckles. These buckles are practically indistinguishable from originals. Fortunately, the leather tanning is not exact and the makers are not attempting to fool collectors. These aluminum mounted straps bear the markings "R. Larsen, Berlin".

Below is a sampling of reproduction chinstraps that I have encountered. Some of them are good, some not so good. Some are intended to fool collectors, some not. Some of these, I know who the makers are, some I do not. This is certainly only a partial list of what is out there. I will add more as I run across them. The opinions as to quality are my own.

FAKE ALERT ! #2 (liners) ...This is an area where the collector does not have too much to worry about. There are reproduction liners being made today but they are, for the most part, being made to sell as reproductions for restoring Helmets. The quality is very good but will not fool any collector with an ounce of common sense. Normally, the leather backing material that cushions the leather from the inner band is made from synthetic foam rather than the wool felt that is found on originals.  The hardware on the reproductions is zinc-plated steel rather than solid zinc alloy. The best current reproductions are maker marked "B & C, Litzmannstadt" This mark has been copied from an original maker but the liner itself should not fool anybody. NOTE: there is soon to hit the market, a new improved reproduction liner that is a copy of the early aluminum banded liner. It will display certain features that will make it easy to discern as a copy.

This is an example of a real liner band that has had new leather applied to it and aged by applying brown dye. The drawstring is new but has been like-wise dyed to appear old.

The collector should be more aware of liners that are made from original components with new leather added to replace worn or missing leather. Watch out for the correct size marking on the leather. Original liners are ALWAYS size marked on one of the fingers. Original liners are precision cut from dies. Watch out for leather that seems to have been cut with scissors or shears. Remember that all original liners have small leather grommets on the inside of the "finger" tips to re-enforce the drawstring holes. Original liners will often have various markings on the reverse of the leather. These markings may be an RB number (from the particular leather company that supplied the leather to the liner maker.) The markings may also be a date or simply a drawing-lot number. Not all original liners bear these markings and the absence of them does not tell that the leather is new-made.

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