|
|
Post by SgtShaw on Dec 7, 2013 22:01:02 GMT -5
Hey guys, I'm slowly building a mid-late war Heer impression, and eventually came to an unfortunate realization, I have a big head. This has been all fine and dandy up until this point (not much of a hat guy) but I'd really like to get a helmet for the impression. The reason I bring the big head thing up is that Helmets for bigger headed folks such as myself command a substantially higher price as far as originals go. I come to you all to help me debate this conundrum, as, the way I see it, I have three reasonable options for headgear. Option A. Original M42-Bite the bullet and spend the $339 on a refurbished original. I like this option from the standpoint that once bought, its done, 100% correct, and is an original that will only appreciate in value. The obvious drawback is price, though honestly, I can probably live with in the long run. germanhelmetsinc.com/restored_ww2_helmets.htmOption B. Reproduction M42 helmet- I've seen these for years and while tempting, I've heard many horror stories on how these can vary greatly in shape, color, etc. Would probably need some level of work to get up and running to look mostly correct. Though at the $80-100 price point, you can hardly go wrong (someone will probably correct me here, showing that you can in fact go very wrong with them) www.ima-usa.com/german-wwii-m42-steel-helmet-stahlhelm-42-large-size.htmlOption C. Retrofit Finnish M40-M55 Helmet- I've seen these fairly recently, supposedly identical to war time M40's, just slap a correct liner/chinstrap in there, new split pins, paint and in the end you should have a fairly convincing helmet (Or so I've seen on some collectors forums) I've priced it to come out around $160, including helmet, to make it up to par. www.ima-usa.com/original-german-m40-wwii-type-steel-helmet-finnish-m40-55-contract-4465.htmlWhile I really do enjoy the idea of converting the Finnish helmet for no other reason than because I can, I wanted you guys' honest opinion on my options. Cheers |
|
|
|
Post by newcomer on Dec 7, 2013 22:45:27 GMT -5
I'm not heer sadly, though if my experiences with American M1 helmet refurbishes carry over, you can reliably add a 25% tax onto the repro item if you plan on changing anything. The tax includes cost/shipping of needed materials or even lost time spent refinishing. In the end its a calculated risk that depends on the quality of the repro. As a result I'd generally shift away from option B.
Option C similar to option B, though it seems like you take less of a risk as you have described it. I would personally lean more to C if budget is tight.
As for A, originals are very nice in the longer run, but can you survive without the 339 dollars? If you can live comfortably, I'd also consider that.
I guess it comes down to how dead on you want to be. If you can live knowing you have a very good retrofitted/repro helmet that's almost dead on, go for that. If it will always haunt you, buy the original.
|
|
|
|
Post by knights52 on Dec 8, 2013 1:42:42 GMT -5
I have quite the large head, I purchased a helmet from Hessen Antique. The large ones that aren't painted yet. They're the largest ones they have and are reasonably priced.
|
|
shiftysgarand
Corporal
BangbangbangbangbangbangbangbangPING
Posts: 1,165 
|
Post by shiftysgarand on Dec 8, 2013 10:39:33 GMT -5
I would go with option B or C, don't want to destroy an original that is only becoming rarer and rarer.
|
|
|
|
Post by SgtShaw on Dec 8, 2013 16:45:49 GMT -5
Thanks for the insight guys. I'm very unfamiliar with repro helmets (though from the many threads on them, I'm not alone). Basically what I want is a helmet that would pass more scrutinization, such as if I were to start doing blankfire reenacting. The nice thing about collecting for so many years is that you realize its cheaper to do it right once, than trying to do it cheaply from the start.
Most, if not all, of my other gear would be reproductions, so having the helmet not be 100% original is something I can sleep soundly knowing. Whatever option I go with, I'll be sure to keep you gents in the loop with gratuitous amounts of pictures.
|
|
ersatzjack2
Private 1st Class
"We can still win this thing, once the secret weapons arrive."
Posts: 612
|
Post by ersatzjack2 on Dec 8, 2013 17:52:10 GMT -5
If you're going to go into reenacting get the Ken helmet. Real ones are just a tad bit lighter and that is a plus. Everyone that I know that got a Ken helmet is very satisfied. Also, it is one of the few original things that holds up well and that you don't worry about using in the hobby. Now, if you have the time, you could attempt to buy a real one at the various shows (Iola, WI comes to mind) that occur throughout the year but will you save that much and will they have one there? If you're trying to expedite your impression, you won't have that kind of time.
|
|
ersatzjack2
Private 1st Class
"We can still win this thing, once the secret weapons arrive."
Posts: 612
|
Post by ersatzjack2 on Dec 8, 2013 17:55:41 GMT -5
I would go with option B or C, don't want to destroy an original that is only becoming rarer and rarer. Really?! I would agree if we were talking about wearing an original tunic as opposed to reproduction uniforms, but a helmet...., c'mon, it's made out of steel. Most of the reenactors I know wear the real ones and most of the guys in our MOA group do too. In fact, many of them continue to get redone, repainted, etc. They're pretty durable if you keep them painted and not allow them to rust. |
|
shiftysgarand
Corporal
BangbangbangbangbangbangbangbangPING
Posts: 1,165
|
Post by shiftysgarand on Dec 8, 2013 18:12:43 GMT -5
I guess you're right, just don't use the original prototype M42 helmet.
|
|
|
|
Post by LϟϟAH1944 on Dec 9, 2013 16:36:04 GMT -5
prototype m42? you mean Thale b2?
|
|
shiftysgarand
Corporal
BangbangbangbangbangbangbangbangPING
Posts: 1,165
|
Post by shiftysgarand on Dec 9, 2013 16:42:25 GMT -5
Yeah sure lol, don't know much about German stuff.
|
|
ersatzjack2
Private 1st Class
"We can still win this thing, once the secret weapons arrive."
Posts: 612
|
Post by ersatzjack2 on Dec 9, 2013 17:00:20 GMT -5
prototype m42? you mean Thale b2? Don't feel too bad shiftysgarand, Apparently I don't either. I googled "Thale b2" and came up with nothing. Could you educate us as to what that is? Thanks. |
|
2nd Bat
Master sergeant 
Posts: 11,813
|
Post by 2nd Bat on Dec 9, 2013 17:03:08 GMT -5
There is a lot of original equipment that frankly isn't as rare as people make it out to be and was designed for continual riggorous use IN A WAR! These items like field gear, entrencing tools, helmets etc hold up just fine being used three or four times a year on the weekend. unless they are particularly rare collectibles or absolutely mint I see no reason whatsoever not to use them.
Just be prepared to have some stitch Nazi " know it all" pick apart your original item as being "wrong". I always get such a kick out of that!
|
|
shiftysgarand
Corporal
BangbangbangbangbangbangbangbangPING
Posts: 1,165
|
Post by shiftysgarand on Dec 9, 2013 17:13:05 GMT -5
I agree with this, and laugh when checking ebay and someone marks an M43 jacket or (yes I have seen this) a 1980's M1 helmet as rare.
|
|
|
|
Post by LϟϟAH1944 on Dec 9, 2013 19:08:50 GMT -5
|
|
ersatzjack2
Private 1st Class
"We can still win this thing, once the secret weapons arrive."
Posts: 612
|
Post by ersatzjack2 on Dec 10, 2013 1:53:58 GMT -5
Hmmm, lots of information. Now I understand your prior post. Thanks for the link.
|
|
|
|
Post by LϟϟAH1944 on Dec 10, 2013 9:56:01 GMT -5
no problem
|
|
|
|
Post by SgtShaw on Dec 11, 2013 18:18:00 GMT -5
Well after mulling it over, I decided to do it right the first time, and ordered an original M-42 helmet from Ken at germanhelmetsinc. I'll be sure to post some pictures when it gets here. Thanks for the help guys!
|
|
|
|
Post by SgtShaw on Dec 14, 2013 16:48:41 GMT -5
Well I got my helmet in from Ken, and I can't begin to say how happy I am that I went with this option. My camera broke yesterday, so I can't provide pictures, but anyone on the fence about a helmet like I was, go with the original if you can, Ken does great work.
Thanks Guys!
|
|
ersatzjack2
Private 1st Class
"We can still win this thing, once the secret weapons arrive."
Posts: 612
|
Post by ersatzjack2 on Dec 15, 2013 4:23:19 GMT -5
How come it took so long to ship? Ha! I'm glad you like it. Others in our group have equally nice things to say about Ken's work. Guess I'll see it in February.
|
|
