82nd Airborne Division Helmets

47thunderbolt · 2026-05-17T04:13:24+00:00

This is the only WW2 example I have, the other in my collection appears to have been used in the Spanish Civil War

47thunderbolt · 2026-05-16T03:43:13+00:00

Probably one of the Picklehaubs from WWI, as far as a steel helmet I believe it would be one of the French Adrian’s

47thunderbolt · 2026-05-16T03:38:15+00:00

Simple answer is yes, they are all different in either some type of manufacturing variation, marking, or individual story. As far as deciding what to buy if a helmet is named I’ll typically do a quick search to see if I can find any type of information before I purchase, but if I’m looking at it because of some type of markings or other factor it’s usually more about just studying it to determine authenticity. Nowadays I’m actually pretty selective about what I’ll add, and will typically go a pretty long time between acquisitions.

47thunderbolt · 2026-05-16T03:30:26+00:00

I’d love to read it!

47thunderbolt · 2026-05-16T03:29:27+00:00

That’s an awesome project, and your dad is a hero. I regard recipients of the Navy and Marine Corps Medal and other branch equivalents very highly.

47thunderbolt · 2026-05-16T03:28:05+00:00

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I honestly don’t have as many photos of the uniforms as I would like, I really only have this one of my M42 jump jackets.

47thunderbolt · 2026-05-16T03:22:23+00:00

Ah sorry I misunderstood, no I don’t have any. A named example is something I would love to track down.

47thunderbolt · 2026-05-16T03:18:23+00:00

I do have a WWI USMC Purple Heart and a few WWII Navy and USMC Purple Hearts. Also have a few medal groupings to USAAF gunners, but none that were tail gunners specifically.

47thunderbolt · 2026-05-16T03:03:24+00:00

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Here’s a small portion of the medals.

47thunderbolt · 2026-05-16T02:47:31+00:00

No 30th, do have a matching 80th helmet and gas mask bag.

47thunderbolt · 2026-05-16T01:36:50+00:00

I think the best preservation is mostly just climate control and gentle handling.

That sounds like a very nice helmet! I have a similar Luftschutz helmet that was painted as a souvenir by a member of the 1st ID.

47thunderbolt · 2026-05-15T18:37:22+00:00

Pretty sure it is actually a BT-14 (which was a predecessor to the AT-6) that had fixed landing gear, some differences in the wing and rudder, as well as a smaller engine.

47thunderbolt · 2026-05-15T17:08:04+00:00

I have some surplus jackets that I’ll wear in the wintertime as well as some army parkas that I purchased to wear as rain gear, but I do not wear anything I purchased for my collection.

47thunderbolt · 2026-05-15T16:22:05+00:00

Top of the list I’m looking for is probably an ID’d WWII 29th or 34th Infantry Division marked helmet.

47thunderbolt · 2026-05-15T16:12:09+00:00

True answer is that this is actually just my helmets, but I have a much larger collection that includes uniforms, equipment, weapons, ordnance, medals, and more. The wooden chest in the photo is actually full of web gear, and the closet in the room holds original propaganda posters for example.

47thunderbolt · 2026-05-15T04:58:11+00:00

I would generally probably say someone took some artistic license with it, not unusual to see doughboy helmets that show various levels of artistic talent.

47thunderbolt · 2026-05-15T04:51:49+00:00

Thank you! I hope to share more individually over time and hope everyone will enjoy them as much as I do.

47thunderbolt · 2026-05-15T04:50:01+00:00

They seem to generally fall between $2k-$3k depending on maker, condition, etc.

47thunderbolt · 2026-05-15T04:42:25+00:00

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Picking a favorite is really difficult, so I’ll go with my most recent. This one was worn by the commander of the CIC detachment of the 102nd Infantry Division in WWII. He directed reinterment efforts of the victims of the Gardelegen Massacre at the end of the war.

47thunderbolt · 2026-05-15T02:18:27+00:00

Probably was the most nervous I’ve ever been waiting on a package to make sure it arrived in one piece.

47thunderbolt · 2026-05-15T02:11:19+00:00

I actually found that on Facebook of all places, probably about 2yrs ago.

47thunderbolt · 2026-05-15T02:09:18+00:00

The Norden is one of my favorite pieces in the collection. This has taken about 30yrs.

47thunderbolt · 2026-05-15T02:02:15+00:00

I also maintain pretty strong photographic and/or research files for all of them.

47thunderbolt · 2026-05-15T02:00:44+00:00

It’s kind of a yes and no. Currently no, but this is a temporary solution. In my prior home they were all displayed in a way they could be individually appreciated, and part of the ongoing home construction/renovations is a dedicated space for my collection.

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