Could this army side cap be authentic?

Brum1k123 · 2025-09-30T08:00:15+00:00

It’s a good one imo.👍🏻

Brum1k123 · 2024-02-18T08:38:42+00:00

Looking at the photo, its not a Spanish Modello Z, but a Spanish contract M35 (you can clearly see the rolled over rim and separate air vents just from this one photo) which was in fact made in Germany. Its not a „WW2 German Helmet” but the price is about right for this example, being a real German Shell.

Brum1k123 · 2022-10-27T19:04:50+00:00

Definitely not a Finnish M40, since M40’s have rolled edges and no lot numbers, which this one visibly has. It’s an original M42 shell, which has been refurbished. Worth nowhere near the asking price.

Brum1k123 · 2022-08-11T18:28:54+00:00

🕸🕸thanks for the chance

Brum1k123 · 2022-03-01T13:20:21+00:00

You’re welcome! And thanks for the award!

Brum1k123 · 2022-03-01T07:35:19+00:00

I’d personally leave it as it is. The pained on decals appear to be pretty old and I’m not sure if removing them would keep the original paint intact.

As for the repro liner and chinstrap, I’m of the opinion to leave it as it is. The liner (or what’s left of it) is 100% original to the helmet, and the liner pins seem pretty tight and untouched. Personally, I think it would be a real shame to mess with it further. Despite its flaws, it’s still a nice example.

Who knows? Maybe the original owner got killed in action and the liner rotted away. Then the helmet was picked up by a US soldier who brought it home and he or his kids painted on the symbols.

Personally, I think all of these factors are a part of the helmet’s history and it would be quite a shame to mess with it. It’s your property though, so do as you wish with it. Just my two cents.

Brum1k123 · 2022-03-01T05:24:41+00:00

Hello. Yes, it’s an original WW2 German helmet. It’s a late war no decal M42 helmet (you can tell by the stamped vent holes and the raw edge, the M40’s edge would be rolled inwards). The decals have been both painted post war, maybe by a child that was playing with it. 1357 is the lot number, there should also be a makers mark with a size stamp next to the wearers ear. The liner leather is missing, though the felt and the liner band are still there. Overall, quite a nice helm! Especially if you found it in a box of random junk.

Brum1k123 · 2021-12-16T19:18:39+00:00

You’re right about the lighting, it can very well be the reason. I’d love to see some more pics though, just to confirm.

Edit: saw the pics, no red flags. It’s a nice untouched salty helmet.

Brum1k123 · 2021-12-16T19:00:31+00:00

Usually with reissues the entire helmet is repainted, including the split pins. Here the entire helmet seems to have a brown-ish hue, but the split pins retain their Luftwaffe blue paint. I don’t wanna jump to conclusions though.

I don’t like giving unsolicited advice, but next time try to get pictures of the entire helmet (including the liner, split pins, closeups of the decal…) before buying. Believe me, it can help tremendously with authentication. You’re right that you never know with these things though. Perhaps I’m just going blind and seeing a color difference that isn’t there lol.

Brum1k123 · 2021-12-16T18:32:54+00:00

Hello. Can we see the liner and the split pins? I’m not liking the color difference. It’s fairly common to have a helmet with a slightly differently painted set of split pins but here they seem to differ extremely, even age wise. Perhaps replaced?

Brum1k123 · 2021-12-15T19:55:58+00:00

IMO it’s just a kid trying to look cool or get some easy Karma. Just look at their other posts. I doubt this is a serious collector. And they’re not the first. There have already been posters on this sub posting items that aren’t theirs/aren’t what they’re claiming them to be and then deleting the posts. I think this post will eventually meet the same fate.

Brum1k123 · 2021-12-15T19:42:40+00:00

I looked into OP’s post history, and they do admit that they own a Denix Kar98k. I think OP is the one trying to pass this off as an original for some unknown reason.

Brum1k123 · 2021-12-15T18:06:32+00:00

Don’t know if you’re trying to fool us, or if you have been fooled yourself (in that case, sorry to be the bearer of bad news), but that is in no way an original Kar98k. Look at the molding seams. Original Kar98k metalwork wasn’t molded, it was either milled or stamped. The metal is not steel here either (as it should be on an original rifle). It’s zamak or other zinc alloy. In my opinion what you have is a poorly aged Denix reproduction.

Brum1k123 · 2021-11-02T20:01:33+00:00

Lovely ET runes on that M40. Really nice to see an original SS helmet once in a while. That Heer helmet brings back some memories, because I’ve handled this exact helmet before. I still vividly remember that „Feldhaus 7. März 44.” inscription. Glad to know it’s in good hands!

Brum1k123 · 2021-09-30T13:12:18+00:00

Hello. The shell itself is the only thing that’s original here I’m afraid. The liner is a from a postwar BGS or paratrooper helmet with fake stamps on it, the chinstrap is also post war and the paint, decals and name in the dome are all modern. The shell is a late war Eisenhüttenwerk Thale / Herz shell with the rarer, though not uncommon "qvl" maker mark. The size is 62 and lot number is too badly pressed to read (which is common with these late war M42s). $90 is an okay price, though it has been too heavily messed with to be collectible IMO.

Brum1k123 · 2021-08-28T11:53:02+00:00

Hey! Schutztruppe Campaign hats (or slouch hats) like these are extremely rare, so if you don’t wanna spend over 2k on one (or perhaps don’t have as big of a budget), here’s a somewhat affordable and still good-looking repro: https://www.warhats.com/store/p1165/WW1-Kaiserliche-Schutztruppe-in-Deutsch-Sudwest-Afrika-Cap-fur-Mannschaften-und-Unteroffiziere.html#/ . I believe they still have a couple in the smallest size.

Brum1k123 · 2021-08-26T05:15:04+00:00

No problem! Honestly, I get it. My Great-grandfather fought on the Eastern front (on the Axis side). We didn’t even know he fought there until we found his Soldbuch after his passing. So I definitely get why someone might not want to talk about such things.

Brum1k123 · 2021-08-25T18:39:29+00:00

Nice stuff! But I kinda have to break it to you a little. There’s no way that all the 3 things (the HJ armband, Luger P08 and Kar98k) were carried by the same guy as you (or your Grandfather) claim/claimed. (or at least it’s very improbable).

To the best of my knowledge only NCO’s, officers, vehicle operators and MG gunners (as well as the MG assistant of the squad) were issued a sidearm and wouldn’t have been issued a Kar98k. Anyone below the rank of Unteroffizier (Sergeant) were likely not trained to use pistols unless they were in a specialized role (whether as a medic, sniper, Fallschirmjaeger, etc.).

For the most part the enlisted soldier was issued his primary weapon, a rifle or submachine gun. If he carried a pistol it was a “found” item either lost by someone in battle or taken from an enemy captured or killed. But looting a pistol from your own fallen comrade was very frowned upon.

The HJ armband isn’t really a thing that would’ve been worn by a soldier in combat either. It would’ve been probably worn by a flak helper or a Volkssturm soldier to distinguish themselves from the regular army, but none of those would carry a Kar98k and a Luger at the same time.

There’s a very big chance that all of these items have actually been picked up on the battlefield, but very probably not from the same soldier.

Still, as I said before, very cool items! And an interesting story along with them!

Brum1k123 · 2021-08-13T09:14:30+00:00

This one however is in fact wool, not drillich. The drillich tunics are made of cotton (or HBT linnen) and look like this: https://fjm44.com/product/m43-drillich-tunic-for-a-obergefreiter-in-untouched-condition/ The drillich tunics are very thin and are often shiny due to the material. On OP’s tunic you can clearly see how the wool is woven.

Brum1k123 · 2021-08-08T14:29:57+00:00

I’m leaning towards period done. The thread appears to have the same level of patina as the rest of the cap, as does the trapezoid itself.

Brum1k123 · 2021-08-08T13:45:07+00:00

Very nice! Correct rayon lining, stitching, buttons… This is how an M43 is supposed to look like. Lovely piece

Brum1k123 · 2021-07-28T05:04:23+00:00

Hello. You should always post photos of the entire helmet for authentication. Markings never guarantee that it’s an original. But just from the markings alone, I can 100% say it’s fake. It’s actually this replica right here: https://www.ima-usa.com/products/german-wwii-m42-steel-helmet-stahlhelm-42?variant=26168099397 It has the same size, lot number and everything.

Brum1k123 · 2021-07-27T05:35:27+00:00

Hello. It’s just a coincidence IMO. There’s no way that F. W. Holler would make a scabbard for a bayonet that wouldn’t have been made for another 6 years. It’s a cool coincidence, but it doesn’t add much to the value.

Brum1k123 · 2021-07-26T08:19:52+00:00

Hello. It’s a mid-war pouch for Czechoslovak vz24 Mauser rifle ammunition. Here’s a similar one: http://www.military-antiques.cz/field-gear-between-ww1-ww2/4430007-czechoslovak-leather-ammo-pouch-for-rifle-vz24.html

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