Unboxing and reviewing an ORIGINAL German WW2 M42 Waffen SS Combat helmet! A VERY Lucky Gamble! :)

Hello my friends!
I was checking on a website, and saw this German helmet for sale.
Lots of times I'm just browsing on internet, looking at advertisements to kill some time, but instead of just looking, I ended up buying!
This German M42 helmet was for sale as a Single Decal Heer helmet.. and I immediately noticed that something wasn't right..
To me, this wasn't just a Single Decal Heer (Regular Army) helmet.. this had to be something way more rare and special..
I took a gamble, and bought the helmet for a good price.. now let's see if my gamble paid off!
Enjoy the video!! :)
This video is made for educational purposes,
and Historical interest only.
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[@History-Secrets]

Ever had a lucky Gamble too?? Share your lucky stories!

[@Benjamin-Dover-f8p]

One time I bought a World War I canteen cover and found out it was named to a dude who served in World War II

[@Brick_Builder_101]

Once bougth a Iron cross for 30 euro in very good condistion

[@History-Secrets]

@@Benjamin-Dover-f8p That's amazing!

[@History-Secrets]

@@Brick_Builder_101 Lucky!!

[@explosivesmith6444]

I'd have to email photos to ya but I picked up an overpainted double decal SS M35 with a bullet hole through the shell and liner for less then a no decal this past summer

[@Benjamin-Dover-f8p]

You know it’s a good day when history secrets post.

[@Most_Sane_Californian]

It always is!

[@BreckenReichelt]

I know right

[@jonathanbrowne4362]

An incredible piece of history, watching your collection tour videos, it really shows me how passionate you are with your hobby, keep up the great videos!

[@Toxic-Spartan22YT]

So good to see these old helmets still in one piece

[@orlandoaros7079]

THE ONE PEICE IS REAL!

[@frblode1320]

THE ONE PIECE IS REAL!

[@Danny344S]

The moment you find a rare ventless m42 the one piece the one piece is real!!!!!!

[@slatteryml]

I love learning about the history of objects and this channel is the only one that reviews stuff one at a time, a real learning experience from Nick

[@THEWWIICOLLECTOR1941]

Hey ! I love your collection! This was a post talking about this helmet from one of my forums. SE/HKP did NOT make XX helmets with a factory applied decal. Not to mention that huge lot number of 5799 being way outside the decal drop date.

[@Rickkert2000]

Amazing, i love it when you unbox ww2 stuff😍

[@History-Secrets]

I'm happy to hear that!!

[@vitaliikhodotaiev9917]

I respect you Nick. Let me say you something, with all my respect. hkp(as well as NS) newer did produce helmets for SS. In the catalog of helmet numbers(a ton of mistaces there by the way) you can barely find any hkp ss, and those that are present are very... Very questionable. How could it happen then you may ask? Maybe it was private purchase(they did sell decals to civilians) , maybe post war(original decal on original helmet but applied post war, by scammers) or it could have happen that some scammer was trying to make some money. The decal is gone so it is immposible to know the maker...But point is - there were no factory made SS hkp helmets. P. S. Very nice helmet, a fine addition to your collection!

[@pp-qd3qg]

You can find original pocher decals on hkp and ns helmets

[@vitaliikhodotaiev9917]

@@pp-qd3qg so what? I have written everything above about this …Those are nothing more but exceptions , there is no such thing as factory batch of Ns,hkp ss helmets .

[@clementlg68]

Don't forget about the absolute champaign decal mess... I stand by this, original HKP helmets with reissued Pocher decals are very scarce. Most if not all HKPs encountered with an ss decal must be considered humped unless it is absolutly unquestionably proven that it is a Pocher decal. Just my opinion.

[@History-Secrets]

Thank you for your comment, I am aware that hkp never produced SS helmets, or let's say never applied decals on the factory. However, that doesn't mean that hkp helmets weren't used by them. Indeed, the Decal on the helmet has to be a Pocher Decal (field applied). The helmet clearly has reissue paint, which also makes sense in this case. I know it would be really rare, but I looked up the lot number in my official database research book, unfortunately this exact number is missing, together with others, but a lot number that was very close (also in the 5000 range) was also a hkp Single Decal SS Pocher, made during the same period (late war) These helmets are officially documented. Again, I know it's very unlikely and would be rare, but this is what I see. I can see nothing on this helmet was done recently, and I'm pretty sure nobody would ruin an original mint condition Pocher Decal like this by fading it out completely. Soldiers in the fields weren't looking at lot numbers, of someone needed a new helmet for some reason, they didn't care where it came from. It was probably reissued to the SS, and then repainted, and a Decal was applied. I've seen lots of weird things, especially late in the war.. SS soldiers with Heer decals, Luftwaffe decals etc etc.

[@mclarenfrog11]

It’s it’s super cool, that everything on the helmet is original but also scary that think about were that helmet could’ve been

[@Rowehouse1819]

Regardless a SS helmet or not, It's a awesome helmet with a lot of character

[@williamcooke5627]

Congratuations, Nick! What a lucky find! I'm very glad for you.

[@UnclePyro1747]

HS thank you I have been collecting almost all of my ww1 infantrymen uniform you inspired me yo get into the history and what it's like to wear the uniform I was truely inspired and all I have to say to you is thank you

[@its-antiquitas]

That is a stunning helmet! Thanks for sharing!

[@History-Secrets]

Thank you for watching!

[@finlay9911]

at 1:45 i can clearly see the outline of the bottom part of the left S, what a find!

[@Matthew_M_001]

You were the person who started my intrest in ww2 collecting. At the moment I am trying my best to get a m35 helmet. But no look can you suggest the best and the most trust worthy ways of getting helmets. Hope you are doing well

[@WidmaHistorii]

There are no hkp helmets marked for the SS. M42 hkp 3477 - 6005 factory no decal era (only double decal police helmets)

[@Wreckdiver59]

I told him that also and my comment was deleted 😂

[@clementlg68]

I've also said that, glad I'm not the only one. I mean, there's no shame in making mistakes.

[@History-Secrets]

@@Wreckdiver59 I never deleted any comments.. I think something went wrong with posting the comment then, because I see no reason to delete comments of people stating their opinions.

[@History-Secrets]

I am aware that hkp never produced SS helmets, or let's say never applied decals on the factory. However, that doesn't mean that hkp helmets weren't used by them. The Decal on the helmet has to be a Pocher Decal (field applied). The helmet clearly has reissue paint, which also makes sense in this case. Also, I looked up the lot number in my official research book, unfortunately this exact number is missing, together with others, but a lot number that was very close, was also a hkp Single Decal SS Pocher, made during the same period (late war)

[@1977ajax]

Could indeed be field applied / refurbed. The OP is worded incorrectly; should have said no _factory applied_ SS insignia. Unfortunately, there being so little of the decal left, its authenticity must be considered uncertain pending professional microscopic examination, and it could be a post-war embellishment.

[@ww2militariaShorts]

Congrats on the helmet man! Geef het een mooi plaatsje in je collectie want deze helm verdiend het echt 😉

[@masudashizue777]

I purchased an original M42 helmet myself recently. Funny that I used to hate M42s before and now I love them.

[@ForeverAmerica1776]

This video reminded me of my great grandpa who was from Czechoslovakia. And when the Germans annexed Czechoslovakia his family was captured by the SS, and he was eventually captured. He then later escaped one of the concentration camps (he was Jewish and a sergeant in the Czech army). After he escaped he was captured by the Red army and sent to Siberia, escaped and came to the USA.

[@OscarLeg09]

Nice video my friend!😄

[@SGTLevi011]

It's always amazing when he posts. I always expect the next one is going to be something like a trench video, but this is still good. Also, I think I'm speaking for all of your viewers... fan mail!!! (: PLEASE!

[@Thedeerhunter7]

You guys have gotten me so interested in the World War II history that I am going to work this summer to buy an M1 grand and then go on to collect World War II stuff like helmets and uniforms

[@ulyssesburnett6236]

wow your so lucky getting a ss helmet in such good condition for such a low price. Congrats at the purchase my friend. Im so glad that you got it in such an amazing condition. once in a blue moon you get blessed and that happened to you

[@JOHNHARDCORE9898]

i'm so happy that your still online and you making more video's then you make video like 2 Month's Thank you! and salute

[@HetzerTheTutel]

I was playing a ww2 virtual reality game and i was talking with one guy and i said "do you know the channel history secrets?" he said "ah yes! he is a amazing channel!" and we talked about your videos and the cool trench videos about an hour long ! :D

[@FatFound]

nick i just wanted to say I love your videos and I am happy that you have another great helmet in your collection

[@willelm88]

Oi, mate! This isn't luck; it's the Gods' reward to you for your interest, enthusiasm, and admiration. Deine Ehre heißt Treue!

[@efruler7383]

This is a really amazing helmet! one of my most recent lucky finds was a single decal m42 Luftwaffe helmet I was lucky enough to purchase it for 75 euros!

[@tntanto2]

Nice one. I was very lucky in 2012. I won a Japanese sword in perfect condition on ebay for 89 usd. Sold as a replica sword. But… It was made by a Mukansa(Highest rank) smith in 1981. Funny thing too, I started my interest for Japanese swords in 1981.

[@knaagdier]

Zag hem vorige week op Marktplaats en dacht bij mezelf die ziet er wel heel bekend uit, en jawel 😂

[@akriener]

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but SE/HKP did not make SS helmets with factory applied decals. If anything, this would need to be a Pocher decal which would technically classify this as a reissue lid. The danger here is unapplied Pocher details still exist to this day and are used to dress up lids. But the decal is too far gone to make a determination if its a Pocher or not. Pair this with a lot number of 5799 being wayyy outside the acceptable decal range post decal drop date. With such a large viewer base, it's important to highlight these fine details of helmets so collectors know what to look for.

[@History-Secrets]

I am aware that hkp never produced SS helmets, or let's say never applied decals on the factory. However, that doesn't mean that hkp helmets weren't used by them. The Decal on the helmet has to be a Pocher Decal (field applied). The helmet clearly has reissue paint, which also makes sense in this case. Also, I looked up the lot number in my official research book, unfortunately this exact number is missing, together with others, but a lot number that was very close, was also a hkp Single Decal SS Pocher, made during the same period (late war) So I actually have prove that Pocher decals were still applied on hkp helmets with high lot numbers. I know these decals do still exist, but they are really expensive, and I'm pretty sure nobody would apply an original mint condition Pocher Decal, and then fade it out to make it almost unrecognizable.

[@akriener]

@@History-Secrets I'm not here to pick a fight with you about this. But you've essentially repeated what I already outlined in my initial comment. And my initial point was that factory decals were never factory applied to this manufacturer's helmets, which I stated - NOT that you wouldn't ever find SS decals on helmets made by this manufacturer. Authentic, unapplied Pocher decals when they pop up I see routinely go from anywhere to $200-500, even though they don't come up for sale often. If you think someone wouldn't spend a few hundred dollars to dress up a lid that would inflate the value to several thousand, then boy do I know a few scammers who have a boat load of doctored lids they'd like to sell you and a lot of other people. Eric Dolin being one of those players who I'm sure you know was involved in the Champagne decal scam a few years ago, and still routinely sells doctored helmets to unsuspecting people. What's left of this decal in theory could also be a totally fake decal that's been destroyed and marketed as authentic - and I am in no way saying it is in this case, it's a general example for people to visualize. We see this all the time with helmets presented over at one of the groups I help admin on Facebook, Military Helmets - Collectors Corner, which is the largest helmet group on Facebook with over 18,000 members. And it's not just SS helmets - it's Heer, Luftwaffe, Kriegsmarine, Feldherrnhalle, etc. Regarding the lot list you're using, there's no high visibility list that I'm aware of that's constantly updated to account for new findings. And it sounds like in this case it's a book anyway. One example is not statistically significant. The only reason I raised this concern is because taking a quick inventory of the comments, people are just taking the information they're presented at face value without realizing there are a lot of technical and finer points to making sure helmets are authentic/correct.

[@History-Secrets]

@@akriener If people disagree with me, I don't see that as a fight, it's simply just a discussion. I'm aware of all the fakes, and what people do to fake helmets, but this helmet was never sold to me as an SS helmet. Anyways, helmets are hard to judge unless you have them in your hand. Some things are highly unlikely, but not impossible.

[@timothydownum4689]

Good luck with it things out of the norm weeeelll!

[@therover4141]

@@History-Secrets forum nerds always think they are the authority on any and all things. You seem to know your stuff so don't sweat some rando trying to claim you been had. Those forum types are all the same. I quit looking at guitar forums because of all the "experts". Interesting channel man. I don't collect but I love WW2 military stuff especially German uniforms. There has never been another military with better looking uniforms and I think the helmet design was ahead of its time. Anyway congrats on your new helmet man and hope for an update video about the jerks that ran over your mg42. Subbed to your channel now good stuff.

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

Sometimes you gamble and win the jackpot! You proved it. Sometimes you gamble and get the shaft. I've proved a few times over the years.

[@malgremor85]

Back in the 1960s, the local surplus store had a barrel full of those, in various stages of age & damage, for $10 each.

[@adrieltorres9394]

I love SS HELMETS THEY ARESOME COOL

[@Mrtigertank]

Omg thank you so much for posting this video and sharing this part of history I’m a big fan of your channel

[@History-Secrets]

Thank you for the nice comment!

[@chasesiegeler2748]

Thank you man for sharing such great history.

[@Justsomeguysomewhere]

Congratulations nice score! I was lucky a couple of times, bought a helmet for 150 bucks, picture was very small, no one bid on it, thought it was a heer helmet, turned out to be a KM when I got it in my hands... only the liner leather was missing, helmet was found in the Netherlands by the previous owner. With the second helmet the picture in de ad was again very small, so again no other bidders, could just make out a circle on the left side, so i took the gamble, 65 bucks and I had myself an m35 DD SS relic from the canals of Groningen. This was many years ago, haven't seen a lot of good deals in recent years anymore, guess I wasn't paying enough attention lol.

[@Fonzzzzzzzzz]

The NS and SE/HKP factories did not produce SS helmets , if you find one of these makers with an SS decal it should be the Pocher decal. But nevertheless be careful !

[@catagamer6135]

Hi nick! Nice video and beautiful helmet! Greetings from romania.❤

[@jimmymarsh2489]

I love it... were so similar... Like a fat kid in a candy store at Christmas. Im. Just as tickled as you are. Nice find. Very nice

[@themechbuilder6171]

the fact that a german soldier probably used this is simply... idk jaw dropping?

[@Northfox1]

I wonder what website you used to buy it, would love to know!

[@specialse]

Very nice item . is it possible its a Norway reissue helmet ? might explain the gold flecks due to the size of the Norway decal ? could just have been applied over the scratched of SS runes , may also be post way liner stamp ? its got a story to tell. still very nice , i have a similar helmet .

[@Ekatjam]

The East Germans used WWII fire and police helmets, simply by painting over the decal only. My father picked one up at a rural German fire house after unification. A little nail polish remover did a great job removing the paint.

[@CarpetYT1201]

That is a very good find!!!!!! I feel like that if I see a relic helmet on Ebay and I pass it up, it turns out it was something very rare! You have a very nice SS collection! Not a supporter at all, but as a fellow collector. I own a SS marked Frostbite Cream tube, in very good condition and an original, never open!!!!! I paid $35 USD for it!!!!!!!

[@TheManHimself90]

I like that liner. To top it off the helmet with no holes in it or anything

[@Barrzy1994]

Anymore bunker/trench overnights with your friends planned in the future?

[@cynthiaswearingen1037]

It's a beautiful helmet, Nick!❤️

[@inferiorfish5970]

altijd leuk als mensen op marktplaats niet helemaal weten wat ze verkopen, goeie vondst!

[@matt99908]

Damm CARNT believe Ive been watching your content for 5 years damm

[@pauldouglas3084]

Really enjoyed the video mate it was really interesting mate can't wait for the next video

[@seangregorygurley8429]

Nick I am so sorry missed this video as I am now looking at the video for the first time . I do enjoy all your videos.

[@verjiniahary]

Wow that is an amazing helmet! Great luck you had! Nice

[@holysmoke7887]

I wish helmets could talk

[@MoviesFirearmsandGear]

Lets hope thats a Pocher decal since we only see SS decals on reissued SE/hkp and NS made helmets. Im guessing cant prove or disprove its a Pocher decal though. Factory SS applied decal helmets only came from ET, EF, and Q, but im sure u r aware of this.

[@gruppenfuhrer45]

Wow kamerad. Awesome stahlhelm mate

[@Toxic-Spartan22YT]

Nick thank you for responding and also I don't know how you found his story but if you could ever teach me the ways of I guess searching historical dog tags and learning who they were from I would be happy to learn how to I cannot emphasize enough thank you so much for the longest time I didn't know anything about the man thanks to you now I know

[@Brick_Builder_101]

Hello Nick thank you soo much for The comment you sent to me. Thank you Nick you are my faruite KZbinr ❤❤

[@SoCal_FPV]

So nice ! I look at helmets daily 😊

[@History-Secrets]

Addictive isn't it? 😂

[@Ww2101stguy]

Wow that’s awesome! I’m a huge fan! Love watching ur vids! Can u do a tutorial for your ration making! Pls

[@ralphb09]

Hello Nick! love your videos so much, i was just wondering where you get your original WWII weapons? I’ve been saving for one for ages so i’d love to finally get my hands on one.

[@mikulamali936]

Great video Nick!!

[@Hans-1917]

Pretty sure I got my ww1 m1916 off the same guy, came packed with comics like that. Was in relic condition when I bought it (no holes, just very rusty and a crack in the rim), have since restored it

[@davidking6172]

Great lid well spotted 👏

[@mana6090]

HKP never made helmets for Waffen SS. Lot number 5799 its late 1944, ND helmets only on this year. The shell is also repainted with a different paint - no structure. Sorry to say.

[@Codex70]

I don't think the SS decal is period to the helmet, it was most likely done in the 70s or 80s and its been scrubbed off. Nick says it's most likely a pocher decal which were used on M42 helmets but the only pocher SS decals were used on medium duty Edelstahl helmets Also over 95% of fake decals are applied on the wrong shell for the maker or applied on helmets that shouldn't have a decal

[@eu_models604]

Any tips of collecting/building a british impression of the british ww2

[@tonyrobb8815]

It is SS...The yellow marks can be attributed to the decal itself,the silver background will turn a 'yellowish' color overtime...

[@derfischvonnebenanausdemse9850]

Hey Nick i love your videos and you got me into Metall deteckting i havent found alot of time to go after my newly found Hobby yet i do have a 1938 coin from germany in a good State and i would like to thank you for providing souch good content im 16 and still saving up for a pin Pointer to fully get into my new hobby , keep up the good work

[@History-Secrets]

That's so amazing to hear!! It can take a while sometimes before you find something, but don't give up!! Keep looking, and one day, you will be very lucky!!

[@timothymalachinski7023]

I started collecting as a kid in 1976 and really got into it when I was stationed in Germany between 1985-1989 and bought a majority of my stuff at the German flee markets. Back than fakes were already a big business and research was limited to a few books that would guide you to spot fakes. You should do a video talking about how to spot fakes and what you use for your research.

[@Eric_Von_Yesselstyn]

Since he thinks he has a SE/HKP factory SS helmet, he doesn't have the knowledge. First off, the lot number 5799 is WAY past the point of the order for NO decals to be applied by factories that made helmets at that point Aug - Oct 1943. Only Police lids received decals at that point, they were not mentioned in the order and continued to receive decals, one on each side. Second, NS and SE/HKP factories did not produce SS helmets , if you find one of these makers with an SS decal it should be the Pocher decal. Since you cannot confirm this, well... It most likely a police lid, because I can see where the paint on the other side of the helmet, has been rubbed down a bit. Lot numbers are not specific serial numbers, they are a batch number and there could have been 300 helmets in that batch, dished out to Luft, Heer or Kriegs... He absolutely cannot say for certain that it was an SS helmet. Also... SE/HKP didn't produce all helmets in a purely linear Lot number progression, same with ET factory... So there can be decals on much higher lot numbered shells. He got taken. 🤣

[@kreftig]

I got a original German ww2 helmet fro my birthday and i thought it was a normal helmet but I could see and ss decal but on the opposite side of yours.

[@ww2collecting881]

We love you Nick!

[@haydnnorris1889]

Hey HS, I was thinking of getting into collecting WW2 items. I live currently at a place which didn’t have a role in WW2 so it probably doesn’t have any dig sites. Got any recommendations please? Although I don’t think I have the time for restoration 😂

[@tommystone4563]

Great video, your so lucky to find a great helmet like that. congrats...

[@omermeric6401]

Woah last night I had a dream about WW2, and when I woke up I said “History Secrets better upload today” and he did. Just luck or something else???

[@percyob1]

Fantastic find there, bro

[@csaint6780]

Nice Gamble!!!

[@vex_mistaken]

nick always uploads when im in chemistry class which makes the class more bearable!

[@matthewhourigan5109]

This chanel got me into collecting i don't have much but I love avery thing I have

[@Jesuslover77711]

Hey Nick I'm Keagen Dohn I live in he united states' I love your content and videos I have German dutch English and native in me my father's side the dominant side has German in me I am related to an ancient warrior clan from Germany I love your video and keep up the good work

[@Dreadnought586]

Awesome find!

[@neptunereviewsstuff7563]

Great video as Always

[@hanstragarsky1340]

Just bought a helmet like this not to long ago, the guy mentioned how the chinstrap buckled was busted so he gave me a original replacement for free, I looked at the old one to see if I could somehow fix it and noticed two very faint ss symbols stamped into the leather. Any thoughts on these and what they could be?

[@Nick-gi6ym]

You got yourself a good find yes the decal looks SS you can see white & black. peace brother

[@thecuttingedge5700]

Oh yea such a nice helmet

[@jakebackus2840]

Hkp never made an ss helmet. Look into the brian Ice lot number database.

[@darylcaldwell3737]

I Would love to see a video on all the guns in your collection

[@f.k.burnham8491]

Excellent score and great condition!

[@hunterprowsemrereviews9141]

Should do some research on the name in the liner. May be able to figure out if there’s any relatives left, or maybe the guy himself may still be alive today. Get a nice backstory to go along with the helmet from either the guy that wore it originally, or the relatives of the guy that knows the story. Then you’d be able to know what regiment, and unit he was, probably even where he fought, and how long he was in the German military, and how long he was a Waffen SS.

[@KameradPeanut]

I too have been browsing on a website and I found a M35 with winter camo that had a bullet hole through the helmet, unfortunately it was 280usd and I don’t have that much

[@marvinehicks1463]

Great find.

[@its_italo]

Gefeliciteerd met uw helm🎉! Zou ik mogen weten op welke website je deze hebt gevonden? Zoek achter een gewone duitse helm maakt niet uit welke maar vind er geen vooreen goeie prijs zou u aub de website hieronder willen zetten alvast bedankt.

[@michalvrana3196]

I love your channel, I will always learn something new about history. Can I ask you for something? Can I have StG44 with M36 clothes as Wehrmacht soldier? Is it historically corect?

[@balsa0108]

That is awesome. That is amazing peice of history!

[@delaneyboys3855]

super cool man what a piece of history!!!

[@eltenda]

Cool piece of history 👌

[@alessiodavatz]

I remember that you have a book with all helmets did you look there?

[@History-Secrets]

Yes! Sadly, lots of numbers are missing, including this exact one.. But I did find another SS helmet not too far away from it!

[@WWIIBuff]

Nice find!

[@eljames4741]

Hey do you have any tips for trench building? I'm thinking on making one myself

[@SteveMrW]

Very, very nice.

[@benedictpollmeier2895]

@history Secrets where do you get your guns because you said that your guns are real.

[@briantjeerdsma1924]

Hey nick. Geweldig aankoop!!! En lucky man! Wat heb je er voor betaald als ik vragen mag?