German Model 1918 Steel Helmet. What to do?

[Curtis Block]

I bought this German Model 1918 Steel Helmet at a flee market for $15. I got it for so cheep because I was knocking the fact that someone had sprayed primer on the outside of the thing. I figure it was the guy trying to sell it because as I was telling it how and why it was ruined his face dropped along with the price. When he got to $15, I decided it could be worth it, so I picked it up. Now the problem is what to do with it. I'm sure it's original as the inside still retains the Luftwaffe Grey (likely applied when the helmet was recycled for use in WWII) , though unfortunately without a liner. I've tried sanding lightly to see if any paint remained under the primer. This does not appear to be the case. I guess it was blasted before the paint was sprayed. My question is what do I do with it now? Any suggestions?

[muddyboots]

try soaking a small part in simple green. It may strip it for you...

Try this site:

http://germanhelmetsinc.com/restored%20 ... lmets.html

They maye be able to recommend replacemtn liners etc.

Personally I'd repaint it in a standard field grey colour of WW1, looks like an etch primer type paint already on it at the moment

Hope that helps

Cheers

Cam

[Ztex]

$15 !! You made out like a bandit!

Good buy.

I agree with West-Front...paint it a nice field gray and get a repo liner.

Cool find!

Z

[TAdan]

Nice find! I agree with the others. Spray it and get a repro liner.

I have a Camo M1916. It could use a resto, but I love having the original paint on it, even if it is in rough shape.

[Curtis Block]

Thanks for the help.

Yeah I know I pretty much robbed the guy. I just ran across him at a VW swap meet. If he had only left the thing alone I would have paid much more. It also goes to show that it pays to know a thing or two about what you are dealing in.

So I guess after reading the link this is a M16 shell.

I had some thoughts about painting it something like this....

http://www.germanhelmetdepot.com/html/fav9.html

Or this....

http://www.germanhelmetdepot.com/html/fav8.html

What do you think?

[TAdan]

My helmet looks like the one in the second link (But not nearly as nice!)

Post pictures when you paint it.

I'll try and get a picture online, even though mine is pretty rough.

[Ztex]

The camo look is way cool...I don;t know how common it was but there had to have been a bunch of them done that way.

I like the subdued more than the five color....IMO

Z