WW2 German Helmet Restoration - Rare and Special M42 Stahlhelm with Disturbing History!

[@wilhelm979]

I wish History Secret is my history teacher 😂 😂

[@CSXdude1712]

Death Trooper same

[@Happy-Bob-Rust]

Same

[@thatdumbass8962]

He’d do better than a majority of the ones I’ve had

[@History-Secrets]

That would be a lot of fun! :)

[@CSXdude1712]

History Secrets can you tell me when you will probably make another restoration video?

[@supermoon1430]

You’re a good person we need people like you I see so many people online chopping up old guns helmets coins it makes me sick that they don’t appreciate the history

[@F-powerstrokeFord]

Hate when people ruin history

[@maciejwisniewski2538]

@Jeesus the Sinkomies its called profit omg youre literally like 5

[@dyer2cycle]

..uh, yes..same thing with people chopping up old cars & trucks, lowering them, putting in modern engines and interiors, following current "fads" like "slammed", fake "patina", large diameter wheels, etc...should be restored to reflect what they were like when they were newly built...just like all these other historical items...

[@supermoon1430]

dyer2cycle yep people rat rod old cars that are pretty restorable really sucks

[@DJC_2003]

@@maciejwisniewski2538 says the one with the attitude of a child

[@haydenlanting6416]

yes finaly hes back yyeessssss

[@francisjohnification]

An excellent upload, one of the best I have ever seen. The speed, editing and presentation, very professional as is your camera work (good close ups and focussing). Loved all the information regarding the helmet and all its parts. Would NEVER have known all the ins and outs reference to number stamping etc. Adding in the snake info too, great. Being an animal lover (and breeder/owner of chipmunks) myself, I was almost as interested in your beast as your helmet :-) What a beautiful animal you have there. One thing though. You know all the little tricks of the trade as is obvious watching your restoration work. Is there no way to treat the (new) leather, steam, water, an oil perhaps that would soften the leather strap so its more natural and supple? Would hang more nicely and feel better too. Was leaving it like that a deliberate choice of yours, and out of curiosity only, may I ask why? Again, just interested as it involves animals. How long was the time between the bite and you showing hand when healed? Respectfully....kind regards. Francis. U.K.

[@sovietkamikaze122]

How​ did​ it​ go​ from​ helmet to​ snakebites😂🤣

[@History-Secrets]

No idea... 🤣

[@sovietkamikaze122]

XD

[@roflmaoseinsohn9568]

well...that escalated quickly

[@iamurdad77]

@@History-Secrets Just lucky the snake never bit you on the Gerry helmet! 😜

[@robertmanfredthurrigl9424]

I got three german helmets . One form WWI and two from WWII and i thought i was a bit eccentric BUT this guy is really out there . Got a parrot which i used to have when i was kid BUT snakes are a different matter. Gets bitten by it but he still feeds it ! Fuck snakes i hate them. No problems with parrots or helmets but he needs to let go off the interfearing snake !!

[@JH-xf3zr]

Nice I just got a m40 helmet that was brought back from a veteran in Texas who was in the battle of the bulge

[@нехорошийсовет]

so show it

[@jacksparrow5626]

Nice

[@platinumencasedpenile4812]

@@нехорошийсовет ShOw It Or It IsNt ReAl

[@halfers83]

Nice!

[@charlottepatmore1693]

How did u get it? Did u buy it somewhere

[@michaelshittmann5325]

I ordered a late war German helmet but got it with the sellers name carved into the side of it. Why ruin a perfectly good helmet?

[@truereaper4572]

You can probably return it if it wasn't explicitly shown/described as having that on it.

[@Mister_Fancypants]

Can you file it out

[@therealcharlie7314]

How do you know it was the sellers name? I’ve seen a lot of helmets that were ‘personalised’ by the veterans who picked them up during the war. You will see names, places and dates scraped, scratched and painted on the helmet... eg PVT Smith, Juno beach, 6 June 1944....

[@jamescameron9420]

@@therealcharlie7314 you can tell because it would be the same name as the seller is listed by

[@johnA9222]

Could be the sellers relative with the same last name

[@sourkraut2855]

You really helped me with my own restoration of a m40 helmet! Love your videos!

[@wiesvanberlo7141]

Yess we were wating for a long time, but its al worth it

[@History-Secrets]

I'm glad you're still here!

[@1ttanker]

As an old leatherworker, try wetting the leather before installing it. It makes the leather more pliable and once dry it returns to it's firmness

[@gildagoose]

Really enjoyable video, loved seeing each step in the restoration. Particularly liked seeing the preparation and applying of that excellent decal. Now I understand how a real WW2 decal lasts so long.

[@drapples1235]

This guy is amazing he will always be remembered for preserving history.

[@whitezmk1152]

really enjoyed it! twice now I hope I can get an original like this some day :)

[@vdubvance]

Hey man, Just wanna let you know that you're helping me out greatly through this quarantine. I've been binge watching your videos for the last three days. You do what I've always dreamed of doing, so thank you for your eloquent documentation and preservation of this amazing history.

[@History-Secrets]

It makes me feel really happy knowing that I'm helping you! I'm trying my best to entertain, and I'm really glad to hear you like my content! Stay safe!

[@vdubvance]

@@History-Secrets You're doing a great job, Keep it up brother! Health and happiness to you and your family.

[@belamichels8133]

Hey, I resturated a completely rusted helmet and gave it a new Luftwaffe repaint, I could give you sum pics and tricks if you want 👍

[@нехорошийсовет]

hi. show your work we are all interested

[@steffenrichardson9803]

Yes please do that

[@shanemannerings3665]

Yep

[@MikeS-um1nm]

You "restored" a helmet. There's no such word as "Resturate".

[@halfers83]

Thank you sir, former Luftwaffe Air Man.

[@kodebruin4701]

This is honestly one of the best videos out there. Good knowledge, good restauration and funny. Size 68 is not rare though. It is wanted. Size 70 is rare.

[@JeddieT]

You can’t imagine how much I’ve enjoyed watching this restoration - twice!

[@History-Secrets]

Thank you for watching!! :)

[@DiddyBom]

Beautiful helmet. I am happy that you find originals, because those who seek history are the ones who find it. Amazing video as always.

[@mag989mmpara7]

Hi friend. Whats the glue You use? Name please.

[@l0ngsh0t11]

I’m polish and I have to say you pronounced Łódź perfectly.

[@xenoplayspl6239]

I agree

[@anthonymunoz6013]

I liked your video as I am a bit of a WW II history buff. I liked your research for the helmet. great historical information. If you plan to make some more similar videos, I have a few comments. 1. paint the inside first to prevent scuffing the paint on the outside. 2. Instead of using the word "right" for placement, use instead "proper" or "correct" to avoid lateral confusion for some of the viewers who may attempt the resto process. And lastly, wet the leather prior to placing the chinstrap as it will be more supple and pliant for placing the pins. Consider either mink oil or some leather/shoemaking friendly substance and then placing the pins will be easier and it will also condition the leather for longer wear. Overall, a great video! keep it up. Thank you for the video and good luck on future projects. I will look forward to seeing more.

[@JV-bj4kx]

Yussss finally a new video!

[@mikie-switzer_lhsfootball4260]

I love your vids man, you do a great job and you show that history means something i been watching your videos for a while now! Keep up the amazing work. Watching this video keeps people interested!

[@sovietkamikaze122]

How​ much​ did​ it​ cost?

[@sovietkamikaze122]

I​ mean​ it

[@JV-bj4kx]

Those kind of helmets arein about 200-400 dollars I am Finn

[@sovietkamikaze122]

Ok​ Finn

[@jjwaters4037]

Just a shell between 140 and 200 usd depending on the size ckl is a pretty common make

[@pumagaming4224]

In Slovakia tou can get it for 150€

[@anthonyanderson-kobs5837]

I like the fact that people like you can appreciate history.I see other people on youtube and not all of them appreciate history like u do.

[@pierredepre2401]

Never clicked on a video this fast

[@D3m0n454]

Same

[@dinismachado2526]

Me to

[@michellebaker4221]

Same bro

[@lukebishop5219]

Haha same here!

[@voltichvoltich5152]

Me too

[@Rustylad85]

A very interesting video once again. Hope you and your family are doing well Nick in these times.

[@oliver8469]

When the music started when you were putting on the chinstrap I knew something funny would happen. But anyways, that's a outstanding helmet!

[@michaelstupak2122]

Awesome job on that! I have original M35 and M40 shells that I’m thinking of restoring, what grit of sand paper did you use and what did you use to fill the pitting areas before you painted?

[@SteveMrW]

Having just restored two early WWII McCord M1 helmets (with no markings), I can understand your satisfaction when completed. I usually get the shells bead blasted to remove all of the paint and rust. And the have a clean shell to work with. A question for you? Could an M35 helmet still have been in use at the end of WWII? I hope that the snake bite heals quickly.

[@xzi1465]

Yes. Especially lat war if a M35 re surfaced in the helmets to be given to troops, it would have. Another way if just someone having been issued the helmet early war and still having it all they qay till the end.

[@enalche2]

Ahh the stalhelm .... german fashion at his finest.

[@corbinkanneman1653]

Stahlhelm

[@michaelbenjmitchell1]

@@corbinkanneman1653 And it came back in the 1980's as KPOT Kevlar helmet for the US Military.

[@corbinkanneman1653]

@@michaelbenjmitchell1 most modern helmets seem to have german influence and lots of other tech

[@michaelbenjmitchell1]

@@corbinkanneman1653 Yeah I happen to own a original KPOT Though I replaced the original liner but still have it and switched to a passive replaceable foam liner like in the modern ACH. And I have some US BDU's which resemble the 1936 Tunic with the number of buttons and the type of pockets though not in cotton. Only difference is the pants have cargo pockets. I do own a original US army helmet used from the 1920's through before 1943 that ended up as a Civil defense helmet.

[@truereaper4572]

@@corbinkanneman1653 The only correlation between the two helmets is the similar methods used to create the proportions. There was no "influence", simply a coincidence in appearance.

[@michaelbenjmitchell1]

Whats interesting a couple years ago I rescued a early WWII US Army helmet(The type that looks like the helmets from the 1941 movie Wake Island) from a scrap pile that the government repurposed into Civil Defense helmet from the Cold War still has the original liner and original leather headband.

[@peterblakeslee4040]

A Brodie helmet

[@jerseyfaranginthailand8134]

awesome helmet Nik, yes thats strange about the size to, Fantastic info on the Helmet liner band too. hey be careful with your fingers man lol, stay safe we enjoyed your video THX

[@awizardalso]

We moved into the house I now own in 1987. It was built in 1913. I found a German device hidden in the basement. It was a compass plate in a container filled with oil. The container was mounted on two gimbals. It turns out it was used in the navigation system used in WWII German bombers.

[@xenoplayspl6239]

Cool

[@stickfigureasshole1238]

The moral of the story is to buy very old german homes

[@floopderpund]

alone the battle with the chinstrap made the video great. love the snake, and great job on the restoration with the background story. you just gained another subscriber. :)))

[@drunkunpods2335]

An amazing video, couldn’t be explained in a better way. Kind Regards Lorrie

[@waynehillmannakapenncrafte9587]

So very glad to see you back. Great Video!!!! Thanks

[@matthie_8056]

33:25 i was dumped by a german helmet so now i only date us;)

[@History-Secrets]

Hahahaha, smart move, German helmets are really hard to understand sometimes.. 🤣

[@danielbauer1471]

Ok, I have been a Reenactor for 36 years so I have restored several Helmets. First, I soak the chin strap before I put them on the Helmet. Second, most M42 Helmets did not have decal. If they did , they were store bought by the Soldier. Third, after you apply the decal you need to apply a clear coat over the decal as was originally done .

[@RouseHistory]

Ok?

[@narvikcollector4973]

Yes a new vid. Beautiful m42 helmet. I recently bought a m40 made in Finland with original paint and a original ss frostbite salve and 303 bullets. As always. Great vid.

[@Darranis_Kuningasverinen]

Made in finland?

[@Darranis_Kuningasverinen]

Ive heard of the finnish contract ones made for finland but not made in finland

[@Wreckdiver59]

I have a similar helmet that is just a shell. This is a good guide to restore it. Can you please put a link to where you buy your decals? Thanks for taking the time to make and share this 👍.

[@History-Secrets]

Awesome, have fun restoring it! I bought the decal from DDAY1944. If you search for decals dday 1944,you will find it! :)

[@deltaflyer9078]

Awesome video Nick really great! Much greetings from your friend Max😁😉

[@blackleaf_yt]

Whet most people refuse to accept is that most German soldiers were not told about the concentration camps and were completely unaware until after the war. Also, this reminded me that I also have some old memorabilia from the United States, Germany, and the Chinese. I forgot how comfortable German helmets are.

[@LOL60345]

they were drafted anyway, so they had no choice. plus, if they did find out and protested and refused orders (cowardice before the enemy), theyd be sent to those very camps, or get simple death. nothing the average grunt could do.

[@averyp.9315]

I have been waiting for soooooooo long.

[@dinismachado2526]

Same

[@anvilbrunner.2013]

A very good job & informative regards manufacture. It made me smile as you met all the typical hazards & intricacies of German helmet restoration. Well done.

[@hendrikfrey8141]

In Germany you would be in Jail right now because of the Symbols :D Also Greetings From Germany :)

[@crackedhammer4612]

Really?

[@youraveragecontentcreator5720]

Richard Törnblom wait,what if you were JUST restoring it?

[@tigerpresentationsproducts425]

Yeah too bad

[@gavingoodale2393]

No only the swastika is illegal in deutschland the others are just army so ya

[@LOL60345]

technically illegal but rarely enforced. you can listen to any song on bitchute etc. and order original swastika containing items from other euro states. theres no border checks.

[@Rickkert2000]

Extreem gaaf weer Nick! Top dat je weer eens upload :)

[@EricF647]

Excellent, entertaining process, and a highly accurate restoration

[@martinmilitaria4204]

I just bought a single decal m35 and mess ton found near orlovka, it was found on a dead soldier alongside his mess tin. Engraved on it are all of his details. 16th panzer division. He was a grenadier. $500 AUD. And as a young collector, im very happy about that purchase.

[@octoboys3470]

hello by the way love your videos a lot.

[@deweycat01]

Yes! So good to see a new video. Hope you are well . I’m sure all this stay at home is cramping your need to get into the dirt.

[@militarybandsuk]

Nice one Nick, it's ww2 living history speaking. Love the vid man. Great content. It would be amazing to get a reply from you.

[@History-Secrets]

I'm glad you like my content, thank you for watching!!

[@austincampbell4349]

FINALLY he's back with another awesome video. Honestly I thought you stopped making videos but glad your back and staying healthy keep up the great work see you in the next video.

[@Jose_AV_Martinez]

Wow cool man. love your channel

[@Jose_AV_Martinez]

Bedankt voor het hartje man

[@ryanhell921]

Cool dude! I had a red tail boa years ago, & he was a bad boy! Oh yeah, your M42 turned out bad ass too! I really enjoy your videos, & I have a relic M35 shell coming to me from Slovenia as I speak. Thanks again

[@constanceroma8264]

Refurbished beautifully. Very interesting video, Ty.

[@cplmark29]

when putting on my decal it went on slightly off. I was glad when I heard you say the decals were not all the time straight, it made me feel better about the job I did. Thanks! historically correct

[@biopower5160]

my bro nice video. I got the first like. I just got my new kriegsmarine offiecer tunic only 12 pound on epic military but its post war

[@jamie2051]

Wtf 12 pound is really heavy for a tunic

[@DiddyBom]

Jamie he was talking about how much money it cost him 😂😂😂

[@jeffreynunes272]

Nice restoration on the M42 helmet and very informative. Keep up the great work .🇺🇸

[@JeddieT]

I really enjoyed this, thanks! Could you please describe the different paints and colors that you used - and that were used in the originals? What were the original names of the paints and what are the names of the paint colors today. Thanks again HS!

[@wdnguyen62]

M42 helmets should have some light textures or aluminium powers in the paint finish. Very informative, fun restoration process. Great work , congrats! and thanks for sharing

[@clemenshaipl1623]

makes me shiver to think, my grandfathers had to wear these.

[@kevinthorpe8435]

I've just been cleaning a M40 helmet in Oxalic acid. Most of the surface rust has gone revealing black paint (where it's not completely rusted). The more solid black paint showing through is where the liner would have been. I've now stopped restoring it until I get some advice regarding the black paint...

[@solarchiken2700]

Yessss New vid

[@oceanicfeeling3135]

Appreciate your enthusiasm. Where are you lolocated? Cool to see a young guy interested in history. Thanks.

[@lukeszekely4975]

Good job on the restoration but just a heads up when you do a spray paint job you should do a dust coat that dries quick so the paint can bond well then it has less of a chance of scratching or chipping. Love your videos

[@stephenasbridge878]

Subbed. Currently repainting and changing rivets on a Finnish M40 which I think was German made...this channel is full of hints and history!

[@Darranis_Kuningasverinen]

How'd that go?

[@lisalola1454]

this isn t how to date a german helmet 😂😂😂 never laughed so hard 🤣🤣❤️

[@tessaleroux7725]

Just love the shape of the German Helmets. So awesome. Thanks for sharing

[@the_doctor_2753]

I saw a picture of a German soldier with the decal on the front of his helmet with a bunch of soldiers laughing at him for it

[@halfers83]

That's life my friend, former officer from the Luftwaffe Air Force.

[@TomParmenter]

@@halfers83 Luftwaffe *means* air force.

[@halfers83]

@@TomParmenter I know but a lot of people will not know the Luftwaffe, then yet they could simply Google or KZbin the meaning of it. Thank you still my friend.

[@vollesoep]

Great restoration, informative and entertaining. Thanks!! :-)

[@quakzel]

I was just watching you 10 mins ago

[@History-Secrets]

Hahaha, awesome!!

[@susantaylor2533]

I can tell you love history and what you're doing. Great job preserving history, my dude

[@PovilasSlezas]

31:01 historicaly accurate injuries

[@Asgard6170]

Really very nice M42 helmet! I also got a M42 with original winter camouflage color, original liner and chinstrap for only 280€. I really enjoyed the video! Thanks a lot!

[@Loldaddylol15]

“This is not a how to date your German helmet video” hahaha

[@History-Secrets]

Hahaha! :)

[@ZOV24-2-22]

Yes! Been waiting awhile for this vid!!!👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻😃😃😃 Love your vids btw

[@LeK-]

Here we go!

[@KevinSmith-yh6tl]

Great to see you back Nick, coming from a fellow collector & subscriber in California.👍😁

[@nicklasaxelsson2381]

That moment when the most rare thing in this video is the face mask he used when painting.

[@fransdenker7877]

tip for your chin strap. first put it in warm water for an hour. the chin strap becomes much smoother and easier to work with. Beatiful German Helmet .

[@oktoberfest4424]

31:27 **insert dirty joke here**

[@legacyofgames9571]

Try 7:18

[@denuz77]

Again a very GoodVideo man!! Like it 👍🏼👌🤘🏻

[@13leolo]

Pleas restore a turtle or a pudding base original British helmet as I have one my self (also we go to a abandon shooting range metal detecting it’s not a trench but I still love it (: thank you for you vids I love history)

[@muaddib.atreides]

i also have a british helmet from ww2. it has the guy's name written in the liner, along with some numbers. pretty cool piece of history

[@declan_M]

Best history KZbinr hands down

[@ondrejkapr4076]

Can i have question???

[@nyantathecollector]

for the chinstrap i suggest greasing/oiling them before appling, it will make them softer

[@elpibe5439]

That helmet should have been left as it was, maybe just finnish removing the remaining post-war paint and that's it, could have sold it and get another shell which would also been a much better base to restore. Also most late war M42s didn't come with decals and this one didn't so adding one isn't part of restoration since it never had it on the first place

[@pzkpfw2310]

Why should it have been left alone? Some M42’s DID come with single decals as well so I don’t see how that effects the restoration

[@silver.sorner2059]

some early M42 helmets had a decal, this one is from 1943 so it probably didn't

[@jamescain6816]

Early M42 had decals . Early ones are the ones with the maker mark and batch number in 2 different locations , the later ones without decals had maker and batch numbers stamp at rear of neck together . This one is later , I'm not a purist I like your helmet , make it the way you like it.

[@s.f.w.6895]

At least somebody knows what "restoring" means. This shell was not to be "restored" butt just to be cleaned. It is always better to leave everything as original as possible. Especially since this helmet still had a lot of "scars" and the pitting should not even be an issue. This helmet is now devaluated considerably. What you did is ok if you have a complete rusted relic with holes witch you can then complete with filler, butt not this one. You should indeed have only removed the post- war paint (although in some cases helmets are more valuable WITH the postwar paint then if it would have been removed). And spraypainting is not restoring, butt destroying. It looks like a reprodution helmet now. No character at all. And now you cannot tell if its a good replica, if the shell was complete or just a car-putty restored relic. Shame. Please stop restoring if you don't know what you are doing. And yes, after 1943, decals were not applied anymore.

[@OneAtomicBoi]

Shut up there 500 of these still in the woods

[@keithwilkins518]

Hello awesome video is that paint field gray? Just bought 2 helmets with decals

[@imperialrussianempire4780]

you should do ww1 Reenacting

[@allenhigginbotham3740]

Great job Nick. I so want an original WWII helmet. and the snake thing OUCH!!!

[@SandervkHistory]

🙏

[@simho2069]

Interesting video! Its like a lesson to restore a ww2 german helmet

[@supernuke1197]

48:38 now that made me jealous as hell :(

[@downwarddogproductions9401]

Lol me too

[@javieradorno6342]

Hey great video.what brand/color is that spray paint.i just picked up a luftshutz helmet.but it’s not like the ones I’ve seen online.it has no rivets to hold the liner.can I get some info on it before I restore it?

[@robertspeicher5047]

SOAK THE LEATHER WHEN INSTALLING THE CHIN STRAP

[@tictoc5103]

Robert Speicher thats wot i was thinking.

[@effansgaming5295]

Yay another video Ive been watching everyone of your videos a thousand times waiting for a new vid😀😁

[@manif-fest9161]

You had all the informations needed about this "rare and special helmet" !!! Why would you apply a decal on a helmet that was historically without any? what about the rough texture??? this is no restoration....

[@cmerlin77]

i agree!

[@s.f.w.6895]

Exactly. Looks like a replica now. No character anymore at all.

[@benjaminbrandwijk1560]

Very nice job Bro! I really enjoyed the video! Congrats and greetings from Venezuela

[@oktoberfest4424]

44:27 I really want to *get this through*

[@cathyapgar4803]

ITS HARD

[@dreddj.9451]

Good find, good buy, and good restoration,, I really appreciate WWII items restored to their actual war semblance,,, its a LOT of work, but worth it in the end,, and you have preserved history young man,,, a little help, next time with a hard leather, soak it in Murphy's Oil (very inexpensive) for a couple hours or dab it on the item and let it sit overnight, it will smell nice, flex easy, and will not discolor the leather either,,, it also prevents leather from cracking later on,,,, great restoration,,, Take Care Stay Safe,,,, E