Original WW2 German Waffen SS Combat Helmet Found At Garage Sale

Hey guys, thanks for watching and hope you enjoyed! I am still completely floored that I was able to add this truly amazing piece of WW2 history to my collection. Once again thank you to everyone I mentioned in the video and if you enjoyed this video make sure to give it a like and most importantly a share! Thanks in advance.
#WW2 #ww2germany #waffenss #germanhistory #ww2history #military #helmet #militaryhistory
Helmet Lot Number Database:
germanhelmetvault.com/lot-num...
Feldpost Number Database:
www.axishistory.com/books/383...

[@666sdkfz]

Wow....makes me remember when I had the opportunity to trade a Gebirgsjäger M-36 tunic for a complete SS- double decal helmet in pristine original condition and large size. This was in the 1980s and helmet prizes were yet to rocket to the sky so I turned it down. I was also told later that this helmet had belonged to one of the high ranking SS officers at Grini concentration camp here in Norway... oh well !! I did`nt regret it much back then since that M36 tunic was super nice...but I do today !!

[@warhistorygeek6013]

Thanks for the comment 666sdkfz! It sounds like quite a helmet you almost had there! Of course you can't win them all however. I'm sure you're well aware you have to have a couple short comings like that in order to learn and win even bigger in the future! I hope to see you again in the comments in the future!

[@warhistorygeek6013]

As I have done more research I have concluded that what I once believed to be an extra zero in the Feldpost number as mentioned in the video is almost certainly a military unit breakdown letter as used at the end of every feldpost number. All feldpost numbers used the letters A-E at the end of the divisional feldpost number to further identify where the mail should go. This last digit of the feldpost number then must be the letter "C" which will help me further simplify my search for this soldier. Stay tuned for the follow up video soon and thank you to "Collection of History" and "Ger Hard" in helping me find this information.

[@collectionofhistory44]

Maybe it is a C, feldpostnumbers often had A, B, C as a last digit

[@warhistorygeek6013]

@@collectionofhistory44 I actually hadn't thought of that! I will definitely be looking into that. Thanks for the tip!

[@collectionofhistory44]

@@warhistorygeek6013 If you find more interesting information about the helmet, please make an update video :)

[@Nikki_Baugher]

GREAT story to accompany a find!

[@warhistorygeek6013]

Thanks for the comment Nikki! I couldn't agree more! The stories of how us collectors get some of our items are sometimes just as good as the stories of the items themselves!

[@5thfjreenactor602]

Just came across your channel and I never comment on stuff like this but im quite glad I did. You have amazing pieces and a great filming style and well knowledged

[@warhistorygeek6013]

Thanks for the comment 5th FJ! I'm really glad you enjoy the channel and I greatly appreciate the compliment! I hope to see you in the comments in the future!

[@eliakachun9993]

This is really cool. I’m a helmet collector myself and I just came across a similar lid. I ended up buying a faintly Normandy camo m42 that I quickly realized had a removed decal on the right hand side, along with the correct CKL pre 1944 lot number range. It even has a Polish surname painted inside the skirt. I was very very excited to learn this information. You have a very nice helmet, and your video has helped me in my search for answers.

[@warhistorygeek6013]

Thanks for the comment Elia! That sounds like a beautiful helmet you've got there! Above all else my favorite items are the items with a story and it sounds like you have quite an interesting one there! Congrats on your find and I'm glad to hear that this video has helped you! I hope to see you in the comments in the future!

[@user-ns1mi3px9j]

Nice find 👏👍

[@hanstragarsky1340]

Very nice helmet, I walked into a antique shop about 2 years ago and stumbled on a double decal waffen ss combat helmet for 450 dollars! The red shield is almost gone and the ss decal is pretty scratched, none the less my prized possession. Very nice find on your part overall.

[@warhistorygeek6013]

Thanks for the comment Hans! That does sound like an incredible find! You gotta love it when you get that good break every once in a while and stumble across a real jewel for something less than nosebleed prices 😄. Thank you very much for the compliment and your viewership! I hope to see you in the comments in the future!

[@johnwoodcock3208]

Is the helmet field grey??

[@johnwoodcock3208]

Is the Hemet field grey??

[@laurentdevaux5617]

450 bucks for a real double decal WSS helmet ? If I were you, I'd be cautious. A real double decal WSS helmet is worth nearly ten times more, and most we can find now are fakes. But maybe you were really lucky, maybe too the guy who sold it was really dumb...

[@jingshenghong9939]

Congrats on your finding! Its such a beautiful German WW2 M40 with original liner. I see your post in our FB collector's group. Where can I find the lot number of WW2 German helmets? Can you share a link with me? Thanks!

[@warhistorygeek6013]

Thanks very much! The lot number data base is still always being worked on however you can download the file at the website. I have listed the link in the description of the video.

[@kamronparsons8889]

I have a question, I have a m40 kriegsmarine single decal with just the liner band in it. The decal and paint are both 80% there,the helmet also has some bullet holes and shrapnel holes. I was wondering what you would think it is worth.

[@warhistorygeek6013]

Thanks for the comment Kamron! Without pictures I can't really give any exact value for your helmet. There are a lot of factors that play into the value such as maker, size, lot number, paint color, and condition is unfortunately a lot more nuanced than just a basic description. You also have to be very wary of original condition battle damaged helmets. Many helmets from all different nations and conflicts have very unfortunately been known to be used as target practice post war so it is sometimes very difficult to know for sure wether the damage is war time or post war. With all of this in mind and if it is all original I would value your helm at anywhere from $300 to $600. I am very interested in taking a look at your helm myself if you don't mind. Feel free to email me pictures of your helm so we can talk more!

[@kamronparsons8889]

@@warhistorygeek6013 alright we can talk more tomorrow

[@UncaDave]

Nice research on your find. As an aside, your gloved hands remind me of “Fang” the puppet hand on the old Soupy Sales show. 🤣

[@warhistorygeek6013]

Thanks for the comment UncaDave! I appreciate the kind words! I have to say that unfortunately your aside is from long before my time so I will be going to check that out right now haha!

[@UncaDave]

Watch the checker game one too. So funny. Really enjoy the details of your channel too.

[@warhistorygeek6013]

@@UncaDave I will make sure to check that one out now as well! And thank you very much! I am glad that you enjoy my content! I try my best to produce helpful and quality content to educate people in our hobby in hopes of fostering a stronger community of collectors!

[@war.helmets9636]

Awesome helmet man, while none have been as significant as this helmet I've recently gotten some awesome deals. I got a WW2 FS M1 for $45, the liner has a USN Warrat Officer 3 bar and a follow me strip. I also got a WW1 grouping with photos, a M1917 helmet, and WW1 gasmask for $100, a 1910 WW1 haversack dated 1917 for $30, and a ARVN Ranger M1 with a ww2 shell.

[@warhistorygeek6013]

Thanks for the comment War.Helmets! Those are some great finds at some definitely reasonable prices! Been wanting an American M2 gas mask for a while myself. Glad you enjoyed the video and best of luck to you in future with this hobby!

[@andrewbarron7690]

I really like your helmet and the naming is impressive.I can imagine your excitement at finding it. I don't think either of the 2 well known lot number lists provide any SS link to your helmet at manufacture. It was numbered while it was a very large batch of flat metal plates from the foundry and those "lots" could have been divided into orders for different branches of service only at the final stages of painting and decaling. With no trace of a decal this is more likely a reused or refurbished helmet issued or acquired by an SS soldier? I think the leather liner being installed backwards is also really interesting. It has lots of wear at the front and the back like it was well worn and then reversed and worn more? Congratulations on such a well named M40 and I guess the naming is where the evidence of the SS connection is strong. Those unexpected bargain helmets are a wonderful surprise and I cannot compete with your's but I treasure my end of war size 60 M42 shell also made by ET/CKL/qvl/bvl. Thanks for your post, I hope it gets more views and better informed opinions than mine.

[@warhistorygeek6013]

Thanks for the comment Andrew! I appreciate the information! It was my understanding that the lot numbers were issued at the foundery and then those lots were divided into batches for the different branches as you said but then logically those lots when divided into batches would happen to be in numerical order. So hypothetically of the Luftwaffe order 200 helmets then they would just grab the next 200 numbered pieces being something like numbers 4200-4400. Using this logic my belief was if the closest number before and closest number after my number were both SS then isn't the likely hood of all the helmets between those numbers also from the same branch quite high. I am no expert on this subject and in comparison to most of my fellow collectors I am still relatively new to the hobby after only collecting for about 4 years. I will definitely look into this further. It also sounds like just after what you described you have quite a beautiful helmet in your collection. I too really like the misaligned liner. I have one other later war helmet like that and it always adds an additional detail to the helmet's story. Once again thanks again for the tip and I hope to you see in my comment section in the future!

[@okandmanniska1183]

Amazing helmet man, I bought a few Stahlhelms a couple of years ago and asked the same guy about them and found out one of the stahlhelms was an extremely rare M42 "dak" which was meant to be one of the M42 stocks that would be sent to afrika before the Africa campagain ended. You could tell the dunkelgelb on it was legit and wasn't a cheap copy either, the paint was rather "weak" and you could see a light gleam of metal from the bare metal!

[@warhistorygeek6013]

Thanks for the comment Okand! Thank you for the compliment and that sounds like a beautiful helmet you have in your collection! You always have to be careful with those DAK helmets as the vast majority are fakes but it sounds like you have a good one! I hope to see you in the comments in the future!

[@laurentdevaux5617]

If you found a so-called M42 DAK, with a weak paint and a light gleam of metal underneath, then beware. First, very few M42 were sent in Africa, where the campaign ended in the beginning of 1943. Second, none of the DAK helmets were factory-painted in Dunkelgelb, all were Feldgrau helmets overpainted in Africa, with a paint that frequently quickly flaked off. And then, if you can see a gleam of metal, then you can be sure it isn't the original paint. Because before being painted, all german helmets received a reddish anti-rust treatment that can still be visible on old helmets where paint disappeared. I know what these "DAK" helmets are, they where sold as such in France 20 years ago. They all came from East-Germany, where they have been stored for decades. All are genuine, but the paint is post-war. The old shells got stripped from their old paint, and even from the reddish pre-paint treatment, and then painted with a thin layer of yellow. Till now, these helmets are a mystery, for which country they were refurbished is still unclear, some say it may be for the Egyptian army, which used german WW2 helmets in the 50-60'. But I'm afraid your helmet never saw Africa...

[@opoxious1592]

I have a M-40 helmet with one Eagle decal about about the same condition as the helmet in the video. And i also have a M-42 helmet in mint condition. The price you have payed is incredible!! Consider yourself one of the very lucky few, to own such a fantastic helmet for such a low price.

[@warhistorygeek6013]

Thanks for the comment opo. That sounds like a nice little helmet collection you've got going there! I agree that it was quite an incredible price and I certainly feel extremely lucky to have the opportunity to own such an incredible piece and get it for such an affordable price. I hope to see you in the comments in the future!

[@opoxious1592]

@@warhistorygeek6013 I certainly will. Thanks for replying!👍🏻

[@SanitysVoid]

I hope he did not hagle on the original price. It would have been a steal at 500 dollars. I walked into a pawn store once and there sat, just brought in a WWI Cut out helmet in pretty bad condition but had one part of the chin strap still there. A priced had not even been put on it yet. It was 300 dollars. I paid it. I did not try and talk anyone down. And I declined offers from European collectors who saw it on line offering me 2,000 for it.

[@MackoThomas]

Hi, I am very pleased with your discovery, it is definitely a beautiful and rare helmet for your collection. It is probable that your helmet is a batch, which was without decals, but according to other signs it was used by a soldier waffen ss from the SS Hohenstaufen regiment. I found batch M40 ET62 723 for Waffen ss but also batch M40 ET62 723 no decal. Personally, I lean towards the SS. In addition to the Netherlands, the Hohenstaufen Division also fought in the Ardennes in 1944/1945 and later passed in March 1945 where, as part of the 2 SS Tank Corps, it belonged to the 6th Division, was in the "Fruhlingserwachsen" (Spring Awakening) area around Lake Balaton, Hungary, after Breaking the division in Hungary, the remnants of the unit moved to the river LABE where there was a demarcation line between the United States and Russia, the soldiers preferred to surrender to the Americans on May 7, 1945, and there your helmet probably fell into the hands of a US veteran. The helmet was painted white because it went through battles in the Ardennes and in Hungary, which was the winter season, and in the spring the soldier cleaned it of white paint.

[@warhistorygeek6013]

Hey Thomas, thanks for the info! I'm happy to say that since I published this video I was able to do quite a bit of research and I came to the same conclusion. I definitely believe that it was surrendered past the winter season like you said towards the end of the war since the US veteran wouldn't really have a reason to clean the winter camouflage off the shell. I've also continued to research the lot number and have yet to come to a definite answer however I feel I am getting closer and I will definitely be adding your info to the list. I hope to see you in the comments again soon.

[@MackoThomas]

@@warhistorygeek6013 I definitely agree, the helmet went through the fighting in the Netherlands, the Ardennes, and moved through Germany and Czechoslovakia by rail to us in Slovakia to the city of Štúrovo, where the railway is designed to unload equipment from wagons. The Stade attacked the Hohenstaufen and other Waffen SS units to liberate the city of Budapest and Lake Balaton. The division suffered heavy losses but was supplemented by volunteers from neighboring countries, even Ukrainians who did not know German. According to the name in the helmet, Kopetzky is, in my opinion, a volunteer from Czechoslovakia who had German nationality and joined the SS Hohenstaufen. He gave up on the LABE river, so the helmet went into the hands of the USA and now you have it, which is great. The fur must be turned on the contrary, but be careful not to break the rivets that hold the fur. My stepfather was also in the Waffen SS

[@warhistorygeek6013]

@@MackoThomas Thanks for the info my friend! I've been trying to nail down the name for a while and that seems like the most accurate one yet. I appreciate the help and tips! Also that's very interesting. I hope you know his story?

[@MackoThomas]

@@warhistorygeek6013 Hello my friend, my grandfather served as a Slovak soldier on the Eastern Front, later joined the volunteer division 7 Mountain Division Waffen SS Prinz Eugen under dramatic circumstances. He worked and fought in the former Yugoslavia where he was severely wounded and transported to Austria to the city of Vienna. In Vienna, at a field hospital, he fell into American captivity as a member of the 7th Mountain Division Waffen SS Prinz Eugen. In 1948, the Americans released him and returned to Slovakia to the city of Poprad. My grandfather's name was Daniel Feik. My grandmother got married again, that's why my name is Morávek and not Feik as my grandfather.

[@warhistorygeek6013]

@@MackoThomas That's a very interesting story! It's great that you know your family history. I'm sure as you know unfortunately a lot of those stories have been lost to time as Europe de-nazified after the war and many families began to distance themselves from that history. Thanks for sharing!

[@RasTalarian]

What a great fkin find, truly something of dreams. I would love to have this in my collection.

[@warhistorygeek6013]

Thanks for the comment Ottoman777! I still feel extremely lucky to have this in my collection! Will definitely be my crown jewel for a long time. I hope to see you in the comments in the future!

[@gerhard6105]

Your friend found you a very nice helmet. I looked in the Feldpost i found in my Ardennes house. After the five digits, it has a B. I also think that the last written thing is a C. And many German families have slavic sounding/written names. Like SS -Obergruppenführer von den Bach-Zelewski. Regards from Ostbelgien

[@warhistorygeek6013]

Thanks for the comment Gar Hard! According to my research that was one of the two conclusions I came to as well! In regards to the names I didn't think there would be but as I research I'm finding that that is partially true. Thanks for the support from across the pond and I hope to see you in the comments in the future!

[@janibeg3247]

my father brought back on of those from WW2 Germany. The helmet was for a very small head.

[@warhistorygeek6013]

Thanks for the comment janibeg! The most special pieces to own are always the ones with a direct connection to your won family whether it be something personal or a war trophy. Interesting that view it as being an abnormally small size! Might have something extra special there.

[@russer98]

Fantastic helmet but I noticed the liner is in the wrong way round with the stitched seam to the front instead of at the back . Coupled with the loose split pin is it not possible that someone removed the liner or even replaced it. Whatever the answer it’s still a great helmet and $150 would barely get you an empty shell here in the UK !

[@warhistorygeek6013]

Thanks for the comment russer98! That's a great observation about the liner however it is indeed still original! The stitching being in the wrong place within the liner is actually extremely common in later war helmets produced after 1942 as quotas went up and small details in quality like that went down. I noticed the loose split pins when I first got my hands on it as well but judging by the paint match and wear match on the both the inside and outside of the pins it is evident that the liner had not been replaced in the lifetime of this helmet since the war. I hope to see you in the comments in the future!

[@RobertRobinson-dy3rj]

Congratulations 🥳

[@warhistorygeek6013]

Thanks for the comment Robert Robinson! I appreciate the kind words and I feel very lucky to have this in my collection!

[@rdmountford3132]

Don't get too excited.....unfortunately without decals its just another M36 with painted name....which is soooo easily faked

[@warhistorygeek6013]

Thanks for your opinion RD Mountford. You are correct that it is a no decal helmet but as stated in the video it is an M40 shell and no conclusions or hopes were jumped to when authenticating this helmet. The source has been confirmed and I have had several experts and well known and reputable dealers in the field render their opinions on this example as well and all of them gave similar opinions being that it is in fact authentic. However of course you are still free to hold your opinion on the artifact and fortunately I paid very little for the item and I do not intend to sell it. In addition, I am currently working with the national archives to research their SS files to identify the soldier listed which again as stated in the video is a fairly uncommon name so I believe it will prove to be successful. Make sure to stay tuned for an update video in the future!

[@philipnestor5034]

@@warhistorygeek6013 Hi, Great videos. I have some WW2 SS helmets and some with names in them. Can you tell me what German web site I can use to find the person who’s name is in the helmet? Thanks again.

[@bigb.2511]

Awesome Piece! The Name to me looks like Konetzky, which is polish or czech. He could've also been a german, as lots of germans have polish and czech names

[@warhistorygeek6013]

Thanks for the comment Big! Yea our guess was that it was a foreign name (as in outside of Germany). We have a short list now but I don't believe we considered that one! Hope to see you in the comments in the future!

[@danielvranceanu8751]

I like a lot it's colour and patina

[@warhistorygeek6013]

Thanks for the comment Daniel! I am quite a fan of the patina myself! Definitely what we call a one looker! 😄

[@disastroustitanic8139]

I just bought one that looks just like that helmet.

[@warhistorygeek6013]

Thanks for the comment Disastrous! That's awesome! Glad to hear you found such a great piece for your collection!

[@disastroustitanic8139]

Thanks I also like the fact that some people now days haven’t forgotten history. Or say it’s “just” a helmet.

[@jeffreywood7229]

congratulations, Nice helmet. Have you researched who the American who brought it home after the war? The people with the yard sale might be related to him. If you find out what US regiment or division he fought in, you would be able to see his path thru WW2 and see where his path crossed with this helmets SS regiment. Just a thought. I have a small helmet collection myself and found a Revolutionary war Dragoon helmet in an antique house parts outside of Philadelphia and bought it for $25. There is a large blood stain inside. It still has most of its hair plume and wide red band around the base. I also bought a German WW1 helmet while visiting Bastogne. I need to check all of my helmets for signs of information on any.

[@warhistorygeek6013]

Thanks for the comment Jeffrey. Unfortunately I am unable to track to which veteran this was brought home by because the story from the family I bought it from was that the father of the woman who it had been bought from purchased it at a surplus store in the 1950s or 60s and kept it in storage as a toy or display piece. So not from a veteran pick-up in the family unfortunately. It sounds like you got yourself quite a find yourself! Would love to see that dragoon helmet! Lastly, you absolutely should give all your helmets another look over for any identifying information. It can make a world of a difference both historically and monetarily. Hope to see you in the comments in the future!

[@collectionofhistory44]

This is an incredible helmet! The pure history behind this helmet is insane! I also have an original SS helmet that is named to 'SS Rottenführer O. Foth' and unfortunately i will never be able to know the division etc behind this helmet but i am sure that it was combat used because of the battle damage! I am going to make a video of my ss helmet on my channel! and the funny thing is, I got my ss helmet for free haha, an old collector died and his children gave it to me because they knew i was interested in german militaria! Great video buddy!

[@warhistorygeek6013]

Thanks for the comment Collection! That sounds like an awesome helmet you got there and you can certainly never beat free either 😄. I'll make sure to check that video out when you post then! I'll wanna get a look at it! Thanks again and I hope to see you in the comments in the future!

[@tonyv8925]

In my research material, RottenFuhrer roughly compares to the rank of Corporal.

[@SanitysVoid]

What's un heard of is the level of Rip off that dealers do to WWII Veterans.

[@warhistorygeek6013]

Thanks for the comment SanitysVoid! You are definitely correct. Many families could be getting a lot more than they do for the family's items.

[@CrocodileTear]

Have you tried researching this man? SS helmets can usualy be researched because copies of the individual files of SS men exist in the US archives and are accessible for research.

[@warhistorygeek6013]

Thanks for the comment CrocodileTear! I have attempted to research him but have not been able to find access to those files as of yet. In fact I believe I have actually reached out to before asking for pointers on this. If you would be willing to send the information as to where I can find these files in the US archives to my email at [e-mail] I would greatly appreciate it. Once again thanks for the comment, I hope to see you in the comments in the future, and keep up the great work over there.

[@ericscottstevens]

People discard historical stuff all the time. I got a Navy gray painted M1 helmet from the icebreaker USS Glacier (AGB-4) (sans liner). A WWII stamped M1 that was stowed on probably the side of the gun turret for decades in the salt air then finally taken home by someone when the ship was ultimately decommissioned in 1988 at Suisun Bay Grand total price of $3 at a thrift store. By the way USN WWII era gray turret M1s are way more rare than SS helmets as the USN policy was to throw older M1 turret helmets overboard if they got too rusty along the brim line.

[@warhistorygeek6013]

Thanks for the comment Eric! Sounds like you got yourself some neat stuff there! There are definitely some amazing deals out there if you look in the right places. I hope to see you in the comments in the future!

[@jamesryder1427]

How much did you pay for it? Did the seller have a honest buyer???????

[@warhistorygeek6013]

Hi James. So I answer this question in the video but I can explain it here again for you. I paid a low value for the helmet essentially sight unseen aside from a couple of unclear photos sent to me from a friend. A friend of mine found this at a garage sale local to him and gave me a call as he knew I'm a collector and I purchased it over the phone through him. I was unaware of the name in the skirt of the helmet until I got in hand later that day. However at the end of the day it comes down to the seller not caring about nor researching the item accurately, and I know they had done some research because they also had several bayonets for sale at full retail value, and myself taking a risk buying an item nearly sight unseen. The seller was happy and I purchased the item at the price I felt comfortable with at the time with the information I had available to me.

[@ww2collecting881]

Today I bought a Original Heer Army M35 helmet for 15 dollars at a garage sale!

[@warhistorygeek6013]

Thanks for the comment WW2 Collecting! That's an awesome find! You definitely can't go wrong with that! A lot of people don't realize how rich of a resource garage sales can be for that kind of stuff

[@jimrutherford2773]

Thank you for sharing your helmet. The helmet itself is definitely 100% original. However I feel there is a little doubt on the name and SS runes. Be cautious as these faked a lot. I'm not saying yours is a fake identification but just be cautious without solid provenance from the seller. Definitely a conversation piece.

[@warhistorygeek6013]

Thanks for the comment Jim! It is quite a beautiful helmet by itself even without the writing in the skirt of the helmet! I have been very diligent in my research since the publishing of this video so I have been suspicious of it but I am currently working on trying to identify the soldier himself to hopefully get full provenance. I hope to see you in the comments in the future!

[@Eric_Von_Yesselstyn]

Without the SS writing in that helmet (real or not), there would have been no way to 100% say it was an SS issued helmet. German WW2 helmets never received specific serial numbers. There is a Factory+Size stamp in the shell and a "HEATING LOT" number stamped into the shell. A HEATING LOT number is not a serial number for a specific helmet, meaning that there could have been 100 or 1000 helmet shells made in that production run that corresponds with the heating lot number. A HEATING LOT number also does NOT guarantee which branch of the German military or Police to which the helmet was issued. The Lot Number Database is not a complete inventory of every helmet, it is ONLY a database of known surviving examples that have been recorded. Without that SS writing in the helmet, it could have been a Heer, Luftwaffe or Kriegsmarine helmet as well. I always look at writing in helmets with skepticism, the writing in your helmet appears to be correct and aged, the extra number is debatable, it could have been a mistake by a solider or someone else, post war, that didn't get it right. Other than that, everything looks correct.

[@warhistorygeek6013]

Thanks for the comment Eric. You are CORRECT the lot numbers are NOT serial numbers. I wasn't including that part of the research as a definitive 100% answer to if the helmet was issued to the SS. I was simply including it as another reference that may point in that direction. I am currently still in the process of researching the name inside the skirt to hopefully identify him however you are right that the writing does look 100% original in person. In reference to the last number on the field post number my current conclusion is that it is likely a regimental or company number rather than just an extra number like I stated in the video. I hope to see you in the comments in the future!

[@newlevelgraphicsdavidframe2870]

try Kopecsky

[@warhistorygeek6013]

Thanks for the comment David Frame! I will add that to the list!

[@cedricamblard6297]

💡 US soldier could capture also this helmet at the end of the Battle of Normandy in the Falaise Pocket where US army joins British and Canadian armies…

[@warhistorygeek6013]

Thanks for the comment Cedric. This thought definitely crossed my mind but I discounted fairly early when I found the remnants of winter camouflage on the helmet shell which would be unlikely to be on a helmet in late August in France when the battle in the Falaise Pocket ended. Hope to see you in the comments in the future!

[@cedricamblard6297]

@@warhistorygeek6013 It is possible indeed. Nevertheless, the 9th SS Panzer Division has been engaged in Tarnopol (north Ukraine) in March and April 1944, prior to reach Normandy Front in summer 44. So, it means, as an option, the helmet has been camouflaged with some white paint in March 1944 and cleaned by his German owner during spring 44 before to go to Normandy Front and to loose it at the end of August 1944 in Falaise Pocket where the American veteran can find it and bring it back later to US ? Your option is good as well but it means the helmet should be cleaned off from its white paint by the American veteran… why he should do it if it is a war souvenir from the field ?

[@cedricamblard6297]

Also, additional info, the 9th SS PzDiv has been fighting until the end of the war against Soviet troops in Hungary BUT surrendered to US troop in Austria (Linz) where they have been kept several months by US army. Perhaps the helmet has been then collected the American veteran ? Info in French: Le 8 mai 1945, la division récemment reconstituée (plus de 17 000 hommes) se rend aux Américains en Autriche à Linz. La division défile devant les généraux américains. Les soldats sont gardés un mois dans un champ et c'est seulement à fin juin 1945 que les armes sont rendues. Puis, les soldats SS sont internés au camp de concentration d'Ebensee. Les gardiens sont d'anciens déportés chapeautés par la police militaire américaine. En huit semaines, plusieurs milliers de SS meurent avant que la Croix-Rouge ne rétablisse des conditions décentes. Plus de douze mille SS vont mourir entre 1945 et 1946 à Ebensee. En 1946, les survivants sont envoyés en France pour aider à la reconstruction. Ils sont libérés en 1947. Sur les dix-sept mille SS qui se sont rendus au printemps 1945, on estime à moins d'un millier le nombre de ceux qui sont rentrés en Allemagne ou Autriche. * Usually, during winter time, the German helmets was recovered with a whitewash of lime in order to remove it without too many problems and to have the initial cover for spring and summer time. Look also if you do have any traces of SS decals on the helmet ? The 9th SS PzDiv has been reconstituted in April/May 1945 with 17,000 new service men. This could be also the reason why the helmet does have any decals (they get last equipments from where they could since almost all factories were heavy bombed at that final period of the WW2)

[@warhistorygeek6013]

Thanks for the info again! The conclusion I came to was the Linz idea but I certainly hadn't considered your Normandy theory until now. I will certainly be adding this info to my notes on the subject. Thanks very much for your help!

[@cedricamblard6297]

@@warhistorygeek6013 no worries, it is with pleasure and sorry again for my English

[@markzinskie5871]

no decal,no dice

[@warhistorygeek6013]

Thanks for the comment Mark. However I will have to disagree. The research done prior to this video being filmed and since this video was uploaded is proving to be quite conclusive on the fact that this helmet was in fact used in the 9th SS Panzer Division. Make sure to stay tuned for a new video on this topic this year!

[@michaelpage6440]

The white marks come from being knocked when carried in a plastic bag

[@warhistorygeek6013]

Hi Michael. I suppose that's possible but I think that's quite a stretch for this situation. This had been stored the previous owners basement since the early 1970s and wouldn't have been knocked around in a plastic bag at any point.

[@michaelpage6440]

Hi if that’s the case probably not .I’ve seen a few helmets with what we call carrier bag scars when knocked they etch nasty white marks behind it’s a quite common mistake due to poor handling and one to watch out for always a cloth bag is the way forward if yours has been static it’s probably happened as you say ,I always cringe at shows when I see people carting around valuable kit it plastic bags ,nice helmet and a score at the price well done

[@warhistorygeek6013]

Yes I have experienced the same experience at shows as well 😄. Thanks for your engagement and I hope to see you in the comments in the future!

[@johnwoodcock3208]

How much?? Name a price

[@warhistorygeek6013]

Thanks for the comment John. At the moment the helmet is not for sale but I appreciate the interest!

[@johnwoodcock3208]

If ever for sale, I'm a buyer at 4500

[@warhistorygeek6013]

Thanks for the offer John! Feel free to reach out to my email at [e-mail] to give me your details and I'll make a note of it for the future.

[@TheNuovaman]

Saying Market Garden was a 'failure' is a massive F U to all the men who gave their lives in its outcome. If you have any respect for the fallen, (you are after all collecting their history) then maybe phrase your sentences with a little more empathy.

[@warhistorygeek6013]

Thanks for the comment Nuovaman. I'll respond by saying firstly that Operation Market Garden was objectively a failure in every regard of the word with extremely heavy casualties for nothing to show for it. The actions of the men themselves are not in question when an operation from any conflict is being reviewed (in most cases) but rather the command staff that planned and ordered an operation. If you are opposed to using the explanation and description of Operation Market Garden that is used by every credible historical source and historian (both period and modern) what description would you prefer myself as well as the entire historical community use instead? Best Regards, WarHistoryGeek

[@mikehelms3063]

Nice helmet, nice "story"...think you own that older couple a few bucks...

[@warhistorygeek6013]

Thanks for the comment Mike. Although I do not agree and I never intend to sell this item in my lifetime thus profiting off of this lucky find of mine, everyone is entitled to their own opinion! I hope to see you in the comments in the future!

[@berdochavchanishvili9153]

Hello Want TO Sell original German Helmet Incl DECAL

[@warhistorygeek6013]

Thanks for the comment Berdo! Feel free to email me at [e-mail] and we can talk about maybe making a deal.