Don't know why, but had to have...

[Flightengineer]

This is one of the most unusual Christmas trees I've ever seen

 

[CBI]

even want something for no real reason? ......................... all of my jackets!

 

[B-Man2]

Ever want something for no real reason ??
Uhhh …. Yeah …… my ex-wife !
Zeesh!! What a mistake !

 

[Pilot]

Ever want something for no real reason ??
Uhhh …. Yeah …… my ex-wife ! Zeesh!!

Why a marriage…Leasing is cheaper.
OK Mods …please delete..

 

[Micawber]

This is one of the most unusual Christmas trees I've ever seen

A mini Ent from Lord of the Rings....

 

[johnwayne]

Always think when I see todays Riot cops/military helmets, wherever in the world, just how much they are a modern interpretation of WW2 German Stalhelm’s, camo covers or not!
I’ve a original one inherited from my Dad that sadly and for whatever reason he painted, no doubt devaluing it but yep, those guys must have had small heads or I've a big one (my head!!) at 59cm, ‘cos it certainly don’t fit unless i take the liner out!!

 

[B-Man2]

Had a few WWII German Helmets over the years. There are larger sizes out there, but finding one is a little like finding an original size 48, A2 jacket. They are tough to find, as people were just built smaller than they are today .

 

[Chandler]

...those guys must have had small heads or I've a big one (my head!!) at 59cm, ‘cos it certainly don’t fit unless i take the liner out!!

I think At The Front has info on 2 or 3* different sizes that were issued.

*Okay, maybe 5?

German Steel Helmets 101: Understanding the WWII German Stahlhelm

Nothing quite like a WW2 German helmet in your hands... It is our intent to produce a series of YouTube videos this summer on this topic which is near and dear to my heart. I encourage you to look at the series of YouTube videos I prepared a few years ago in conjunction with the now defunct...

www.therupturedduck.com

 

[MauldinFan]

Today, I drug the helmet through the gravel next to the house, then through my wife's garden. I also used some techniques I use on my model train stuff, only on a 1:1 scale.
I then lightly wiped it off and then hit it with dull coat. I like how it turned out, looking very worn but serviceable.

 

[Kermit3D]

"I need it for no good reason" is the story of my life...

The list could be very long, just an example : last night I was browsing the internet looking for a nice XIV century bascinet helmets...
One question haunts me : "houndskull visor" or "pigface visor".
Fortunately, the reason comes back before placing the order.

 

[Flightengineer]

 

[ausreenactor]

Ever just want something for no reason?
Ever since I was a kid, I'd wanted a wearable German helmet. Problem is, my noggin was always huge and originals would cost a fortune. Recently, I found the IMA repro M42 is made in my size. It just fits. I'll probably do some paint work on it, weather it a little, and include it in my US displays at living history events.
But I for sure have no real use for one...

Put a .30-06 slug through two sides!

 

[MauldinFan]

Put a .30-06 slug through two sides!

Nah. Most GIs wanted to bring home intact war trophies, very few existing today have bullet holes in them.

 

[STEVE S.]

Today, I drug the helmet through the gravel next to the house, then through my wife's garden. I also used some techniques I use on my model train stuff, only on a 1:1 scale.
I then lightly wiped it off and then hit it with dull coat. I like how it turned out, looking very worn but serviceable.
View attachment 80210
View attachment 80211

here are a couple I’ve redone & aged a little. Also the piece in my collection I’ve had the longest, the WWI helmet found in the trunk of an abandoned car. It had rolled around back there long enough to pretty much strip all the paint off, except for the Weimar shield. Redid it back in the late 70’s, but gave it a second redo a couple yrs ago with the advent of the internet for info & more accurate paint available now. Last pic is the tag sewn in the liner.

 

[MauldinFan]

I had some decals so last night I put one eagle on (by the time M42s were being worn, the Wehrmacht wasn't using the national tricolor decal on the other side). Before it'd gone on, I hit it with some light sandpaper.

After I took this shot, I hit it with a coat of dullcoat.
I need to hit the edges of the chinstrap with some leather dye to darken it up. The liner is very light, but I'm okay with that.

 

[Smithy]

I've got this. It's unissued. I've got it in storage with a 1944 marked Waffen-SS cap. Hanging onto them as the value for these kinds of things are starting to go stratospheric.

 

[Silver Surfer]

now, that one is rarer than rocking horse shit.