Rusty World War I Helmet Restoration - From Nothing to Awesome

In this video, I will show the restoration of the World War 1 Austrian M17 helmet . This model of helmet M17 was used by Germany forces at the World War II. I decided to recreate the model of the helmet that was used by the Wehrmacht troops after the Anschluss of Austria in 1938. This helmet has been in the ground more than 75 years. This helmet I renovated to participate in military reconstructions.
www.militarytour.com/blog/the...
www.wehrmacht-militaria.org/s...
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#restoration #rusty #restore

[@johngoes2town482]

As a helmet collector I would've thought it was an original shell that was restored and not two shells put together, so well done

[@sWarhistory]

It’s nice to see that two helmets were put together and brought a helmet to life, but the cutting in some helmets hurt a little but still worth it

[@IlNamelessKinglI]

Bro, this guy kinda of a genius. He used a piece of another messed up helmet to fix one that was just a little bit more saveable. Many people wouldn't try to fix this helmet or they would just weld a random piece of steel.

[@user-zw2op3vs5d]

😎✌️

[@Mal0_ver1-0-0]

Actually the piece he used was a helmet cover that provided extra protection

[@jacobyouknowwho]

​@@Mal0_ver1-0-0Not true. You can see the raised pieces on the sides that would hold said helmet cover. Both pieces were original helmets.

[@voxelstein3680]

Remember guys this is restoration NOT CONSERVATION. To conserve something is to find it in its current state and prevent it from decaying further, to restore something is to use 50% of existing material and add up to 50% of new material. To reconstruct something is to use more than 50% of new material to ''rebuild'' something. At our university it's constant debate weather to conserve, restore or reconstruct something. My congratulations on a job well done regarding this helmet.

[@melkyfernandes4579]

What ever it named... I just watch it because i had nothing to do while shitting at toilet.

[@keirfarnum6811]

It’s important to keep in mind that it’s not always a good idea to restore an antique. Some antiques are worthless and it does no harm to restore them; but people who want to buy antiques generally don’t want something that’s been remade. There are many examples from Antiques Roadshow of people polishing antiques that went from being worth hundreds of thousands of dollars to being worth only hundreds of dollars after they were “fixed”. Never try to restore an antique without checking with an appraiser or expert first.

[@vandoren156]

Helmets are a particular thing, depends on how they are found usually. Often the rust is just eating at the edges of holes in the helmet that happened in action (and some helmets have been reduced in pitiful conditions in that way before the rust ever touched them). In that case they are preferably left as is.

[@ahmet42selim65]

@@keirfarnum6811 the word is referbish not restore. A example for restoration a bayonet with a bit surface rust on it and u taking the rust off with a brass wool.

[@aurelienyonrac]

Thank goodness you explain that. I enjoyed the artistic value of the first look of the helmet. Never the less, amazing job 👷

[@jacksonvaneekeren5660]

I know at the start you said that helmet has no value but damn if I wouldn’t put that rusted helmet as is on display in my mancave

[@debbiejones9195]

I know right?

[@WOTHAN66666]

YEAH this dude is wrong, he destrues it when"fixing" it... leave it as is...

[@jackkukoff3685]

@@WOTHAN66666 I mean I wouldn’t say it’s wrong at all. Rather it gives us some insight as to how the helmet would have looked over a hundred years ago. Plus there’s that fact that there are still many other practically destroyed artifacts from ww1 still out there that we can also use as reference to see the destruction the war caused and the time that has passed since then from the years of wear, tear, and deterioration.

[@o0463]

@@jackkukoff3685 There's way more replicas and original helmets...

[@VAMO_-tn9yv]

I Would put that like it is in my collection. We are talking about a helmet from a soldier that might died in the war . You can't change parts with a helmet en restore it . And if you want to restore it than you have to make it like a ww1 helmet and not ww2

[@finnmanproductions9240]

You can debate whether it should be restored all day long but you can’t deny the work and result is impressive.

[@scottbrookes5434]

The M18 was used pre ww2 by the Nazis before the M1935 helmet was introduced, so its correct in having the double decal. It's called the m18 transitional helmet.

[@evilcowboy]

Cool I personally didn't know that thanks.

[@evincook9489]

Then why title the video WW1

[@gwggamingwgaravaglia]

Ya I was thinking the same thing . A WWI helmet with a nazi sticker??

[@mehmetocakli4883]

@@gwggamingwgaravaglia They did issue ww1 era helmets if there was a shortage of M35, M40 or M42 helmets esspecailly in the latter stages of the war

[@steamboatwillie8517]

@@gwggamingwgaravaglia if you see footage of old Adolf, his bodyguard wear the M1916

[@antontalbot9148]

Not a restoration. It's a reconstruction.

[@davidbryce6970]

Or sacrilege?

[@conceptalfa]

Exactly.....!!!

[@FondriniAlberto]

l'originale corroso era gia bello

[@ivry4846]

@@FondriniAlberto Mussolinni...

[@swampwar]

Excellent restoration. I can imagine how hard it is. You give relics a second life. It's a worthy job!

[@user-rq1jh8wn7g]

О какие люди здесь)

[@swampwar]

@@user-rq1jh8wn7g какие?)

[@AlleyCat643]

“I can imagine how hard it is” (That’s what she said...)

[@amitavasarkar7983]

⁹⁹

[@krishnabaditya2642]

@@user-rq1jh8wn7g ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

[@tron3entertainment]

Pawn Shop: So what is the story behind this helmet? WWII TR: It had two guys heads in it at the same time.

[@SuperConanBarbarian]

Pawn Shop: "Best I can do is $100!

[@williamlott7612]

You honored two men with your restoration, well done. Lest anyone forget, common soldiers are usually just good men trying to do their duty regardless of the nation. Darlington, South Carolina USA

[@markcaldwell778]

Yeah 2 fascists who probably committed war crimes.

[@micdeleon]

What a surprise someone from the south would say something like this

[@arturoroldan4839]

@@markcaldwell778 Imagine being so stupid to think the NSDAP is a fascist ideology.

[@WhatMikeySaid]

Fascism in Germany occurred after WW1.

[@ASTER-ik4hh]

" Не бита не крашена- у Ганса 100 лет на чердаке пролежала" Отличный распил получился.

[@evolution5113]

Ахахах)

[@vintagemachineworks]

I'm once again impressed with your work preserving these artifacts. Great work.

[@sidibill]

I hope that if this helmet ever went on sale that the full extent of restoration would be disclosed.

[@MarioSantos-zx4bj]

@Ban this youtube perfect state never used or removed from warehouse

[@henrywalters9130]

It's got freakin plastic stickers on it

[@MarioSantos-zx4bj]

@@henrywalters9130 you gotta hace decals when you’re pumping out your ww1 helmet

[@henrywalters9130]

@@MarioSantos-zx4bjYeah but to ruin a restoration with plastic decals? Cmooon

[@MarioSantos-zx4bj]

@@henrywalters9130 I know, it’s sad, but it’s he’s we can’t do nothing about it sadly, at least try and make them look real instead of a fucking Sticker

[@Martin.Wilson]

Unbelievable patience and vision.......truly remarkable!

[@aleksyblack]

This helmet was NEVER nothing. Just wanted to say that.

[@uhh6148]

?

[@trhyr8923]

@@uhh6148 he meant whether or not the helmet is severely damaged, the helmet always have a meaning behind it.

[@tomaszzalewski4541]

@@trhyr8923 Yeah, some unlucky probably young guy used it and never returned home

[@makarov9419]

@@tomaszzalewski4541 judging by the holes it’s literally just rust from being abandoned

[@tomaszzalewski4541]

@@makarov9419 or it could have been dropped after its owner got hit and buried in the ground because of nearby artillery shell explosion. Considering that this is ww1 helmet (and those were precious in germany at that time because of the lack of resources) I think it's unlikely that somebody would have just abandoned it

[@comradebusman3]

"In this state, this helmet has no historical, cultural, or collection value" I think it has value. Value as a demonstration of what happens if you leave a metal helmet buried in mud for ~80 years. In all seriousness though, good video!

[@wwiituberestoration1011]

Yeah, you're right.

[@randomhelmet5250]

@@wwiituberestoration1011 you did a good job, hell, it looked really normal, I'd buy that

[@davidbryce6970]

Perhaps a light covering with wax and placed on an appropriate stand for display? I thought it was beautiful before you went all Orange County Choppers on it.

[@peterblakeslee4040]

I absolutely love your work and commend you! You obviously get better on every single helmet restoration you work on. Outstanding work!

[@myleswillis]

"In this state, this helmet has no historical, cultural or collection value." I strongly disagree with that statement. That helmet belonged to a young man. Probably a lot younger than you or I. Right or wrong, good or bad, he left home one day and never returned.

[@TaintedShrimp]

That hit hard

[@libbypowell4278]

Agreed. He mistakes unusable with useless. He took an antique and made it into a replica. Should have just made a replica and kept the original for comparative purposes. Made a new piece by destroying an old one.

[@stormtrooperj2932]

WOW you all are Inseparable it funny😂. Can for once the Moral police Spare us and just let someone enjoy there hobby and be happy about it. If he did not do this it was just going to be turned in to dust and forgotten. Oh forgot its 2021 everybody has to be offended about something. Lol

[@libbypowell4278]

@@stormtrooperj2932 keyboard warriors have no need of helmets. So being angry with the moral police, you would moral police the rest of us. Right...

[@TaintedShrimp]

@@stormtrooperj2932 I don't know what the hell you are saying but stfu

[@badgerbrown36]

Just WOW They You for the WW1 German restoration! Thank you MORE for actually DOING IT!!!!

[@badgerbrown36]

Love what you do/are doing

[@matteoventura7465]

This isn’t a German helmet, it’s an Austro-Hungarian helmet from WWI. You can tell from where the strap is located on the helmet; a German model had the strap on the curve plane, whereas the Austrian version has the strap above the plane.

[@martimhenriques1169]

What a piece of art!!! And a very good restorer👌🏼

[@sWarhistory]

Looks like it was never two rusted helmet put together but rather a normal shell that had been restored Master restoration

[@Pryad881]

Not exactly a restoration and more of a recreation considering it’s not the real helmet anymore but two separate helmets he welded together and recoloured.

[@keirfarnum6811]

It’s important to keep in mind that it’s not always a good idea to restore an antique. Some antiques are worthless and it does no harm to restore them; but people who want to buy antiques generally don’t want something that’s been remade. There are many examples from Antiques Roadshow of people polishing antiques that went from being worth hundreds of thousands of dollars to being worth only hundreds of dollars after they were “fixed”. Never try to restore an antique without checking with an appraiser or expert first.

[@letsplaybarrysmod5815]

Wow I'm amazed I didn't expect you make a transitional helmet glad you gave it a second life

[@derrickcordick1315]

Well done my friend that was amazing to watch can't wait to see what you do next

[@jameseruera9642]

that part of history holds no value only memories of pain fear and confusion for the brave men of our own nations who were willing to make that sacrifice none the less excellent job

[@zachvanhelsin2463]

Holy moly this has to be the best restoration ever I have ever see good work m8

[@gazlyno]

. I've said it before two bits of scrap and turned it into a work of art and you got the seems lined up. The inner was a bonus, wasn't expecting that. Only thing is , it looks that good it might be mistaken for a replica. Fantastic work anyway, enjoyed watching and thanks for sharing

[@joepop25]

Man great job I love how you walked your bead over the really brittle parts, you are a true craftsman, thank you so much for the vid

[@mrhamburger6936]

It had some historic value as rusted out helmet not now

[@logicwurx]

That is a fact. Now it is worthless. It has no original piece exposed.

[@user-ed8gt7ht6j]

This is why punctuations are a thing.

[@Jim_Fries]

It was worthless before.

[@user-zw2op3vs5d]

😉👍

[@Snaking_Gamer]

I thought that helmet was beyond repair, awesome work dude!

[@corrosiveidiot5581]

I'm sure the soldiers who wore these helmets are grateful for this :) i love this so much

[@sir.drippington2674]

yes they did

[@sir.drippington2674]

that is a proven fact

[@sir.drippington2674]

they found most helmets in random abandoned areas

[@sir.drippington2674]

I honestly don't have any images I just know that most were found in Abandoned Bunkers

[@sir.drippington2674]

and other Abandoned places

[@WhatMikeySaid]

Excellent restoration! I might add that once the decals are set and dry on the helmet it’s a good practice to spray a clear coat to protect the decals from accidental wear.

[@willholly7526]

I can dig a relic or antique w/ a bit of patina but at some point (like when it's in such bad shape that it's unrecognizable, as this almost was) it's no longer a historical antique or a relic, just rotted metal bits. It's amazing that it was restored to this condition. Fantastic work.

[@geraldperez2768]

I'm so glad he didn't use Ramen noodles to fix this!!! Great video! I learned a lot!!

[@flaviopitanga65]

This one was very complex and difficult restauration. Great job

[@massimoricciardi6202]

These pieces you restore needs to be in a museum.

[@stuka_bly4t102]

I’m restoring an m40, I took the previous paint completely off as it was already pretty badly restored, now I have to repaint it, I bought day 1944 paint, I tried on the shell to see if it would hold on, but it doesn’t, I can scratch it off with my nails. Do you know if I have to use any sort of primer or what I should do to make it work?

[@RodFleming-World]

No. In its found state it had a much more poignant story to tell. Your work is good but why not just use modern replicas?

[@debbiejones9195]

You are very right.

[@benhood5492]

Replicas are great, but they are not perfect like originals and some people strive to be as accurate as possible so they buy originals, plus it's really cool to have a restored original

[@stormtrooperj2932]

Would you want a replicant made out of metal that wasn't there and did not lived through ww1 or would you want a replica that was made out of 2 helmets that was actually used during ww1? I think a helmet made out of 2 helmets form ww1 is a lot cooler but what do I know🤷‍♂️

[@gunterg7309]

I mean, in it’s found state it tells the story of a helmet that was used as target practice then discarded after the war. I don’t see a particularly great narrative out of helmets that are more rust them anything else. Unless you know for a fact where it came from in all likelihood they were simply discarded.

[@Nick-tx2fl]

You can't preserve a helmet like that. Unless you grind out the corrosion it'll eventually disintegrate into nothing. There was nothing to save of the original

[@edisonsilvioevangelista710]

Excelente trabalho. Você é um grande restaurador! Parabéns.

[@andreww8213]

I have my grandfathers P-38 from when he served in ww2. It’s a bit dirty but all the ammo and everything is just as he left it 20 or so years ago before he passed

[@lecobra418]

Your grandfather was electrician too?

[@evilcowboy]

Good job dude. I like the fact you used WWI paint from the Austrian Army and then the WWII paint of the Nazi Party. So it appears more as if it was originally a WWI helmet that was repurposed during WWII. Its a nice little detail in the event it ever gets scratched. My God though those low spots, lol hell of a lot of sanding on that helmet huh lol. I feel for ya on that. Overall the restoration of the helmet is probably one of the best. Very close attention to detail.

[@wwiituberestoration1011]

Thanks bro!

[@Tobi-ln9xr]

The description is wrong. The helmet was introduced and made in Germany and adapted by A-H. Dr. Friedrich Schwert made this helmet in Hanover in 1915.

[@howardmurrin]

That looks awesome! Excellent job! 🍻

[@user-gf7ww1kf9i]

Excellent work as always!

[@terry4144]

I think I would have filled it with clear resin and made a feature of it

[@funambulesco8017]

Probably an unknown soldier wore that helmet to protect himself running out of the trench, or perhaps he also used it as a pillow to lay his head when the fatigue was winning the battle. Maybe he lost that helmet escaping from a shoot-out, or perhaps it fell next to his body after a sniper took his life. You did an impressive restoration, my friend, and now you have a new helmet, but you erased all the history behind it. Greetings from Argentina.

[@ShadKS18XL]

First of all - it is German helmet, so no big deal... Second of all - it is actually two helmets combine in to one, it isn't a "restoration", because you can't actually tell with helmet of two was restored.

[@johnmilonas9143]

Museum quality restoration. Thank you.

[@trapkit1]

Excellent examples of patience and superb craftsmanship. A tip of the cap to you, sir.

[@LAZVAN]

For people who are wondering I’m assuming that is a World War I German helmet 🪖 As a proud German, I am glad to see this

[@strike4n]

Great restoration!!! Awesome job!

[@Bauchi1907]

Amazing restauration!!! 🪖

[@keltar4071]

I like how he didnt cheat. He made sure there was a metal foundation instead of filling the rusted out with bondo.

[@Glatzomaniac]

The welding is much easyer and you can give more heat in when you put a thick piece of massive copper from inside under the welding point. And the inner surface is much flater after welding.

[@terrystover7365]

Beautiful work. You are a very good welder to be able to weld rusty metal like that.

[@seannoble8948]

I love these old WW 1 German helmets...may have to purchase one!

[@einolappi1824]

I have one

[@Max-rk1oy]

Im impressed at how you restored it just wow.

[@dentwatkins2193]

Excellent restoration. A cut-and-shut job. I've seen it done on cars before, but never a steel helmet.

[@georggutzmann1771]

Excellent repair! / You're a great artist!!!

[@user-mr5jy7uz5q]

Это не реставрация, а сварочные работы! 😄 На самом деле хорошо получилось!👍

[@user-qu3sv4vj5t]

Угу, из 2-х касок одна...Uh-huh, one of 2 helmets ...

[@ric12000]

Very nicely done! Beautiful. I would just do just one thing differently... I would apply a coat if rust protection primer on the metal before apply the patty. The patty should be in between layers of paint.

[@perarduramcintyre5578]

Just found this channel binge watching! Awesome restoration!!!

[@johnharmon9466]

Very very cool restoration fella, very cool indeed !! You absolutely nailed this one, some experts wouldn't have attempted this. Very proud of you this is excellent, well done.

[@CarterAutoRestyling]

Great save! I don't understand all the negative comments saying you ruined a piece of history. If that helmet were worth preserving as is someone else would have stepped up and bought it on ebay. My only criticism is that it would have been easier to shape and weld in new pieces of metal for the larger holes vs filling them up with weld...much less welding and grinding. Either way awesome job bringing that relic back to life!

[@Thedarkbunnyrabbit]

Literally every restoration video (of old things, not the fake channels that beat up something new and then 'fix' it) gets a torrent of 'oh it was better before!' comments from people who don't understand the difference between an antique whose value comes from its age and disrepair and an old piece of junk that has no value at all.They're the 'that's animal/child abuse!' comments of restoration YT.

[@JackAkaJCK]

Do you have a shelf or something we're these helmets end up or do you sell them to a museum or what do you do with them after you finish your work on them?

[@maryannsterling7210]

BEAUTIFULLY DONE

[@Nelg230]

It does look awesome. I'd recommend a piece of copper behind the holes when filling with weld. Creates a pool of metal which doesn't attach to the copper.

[@user-jp6lf2ie7z]

Капец ребята какой объем работы(за что и ЛАЙК) :) Осталось только одеть каску на голову...и проверить, как она выдержит пулю ;)

[@rogersmith8386]

Amazing restoration 😊👏

[@mircea_0064]

What settings you use for welding

[@MatthewOfLondon]

I wouldn't have the guts or bollocks to muck about with an m-17 Stalhelm. You owned it. Very inspirational. Great vid.

[@gustavoaffonso4899]

Great work.

[@alanevans9903]

Really nice resto! What cutting tool disc are you using? Mine always fly apart!

[@Reshtarc]

I used to dig up helmets over there all the time when I was a kid. Got a metal detector for Christmas when I was 8. Used it for 2 years1976-77. All WWII helmets. None that old. I did keep the base ordinance guys busy as myself and some of the Boy Scout troop I was part of were always out in the woods. The area around Spangdahlem Airbase Germany.

[@obmorok25]

Отличная работа. Вы молодец.

[@goose33]

I may be an outlier but i personally like when they are in relic condition More of a story behind it I have an SS helmet that was found in a river and looks like a giant piece of shrapnel split it almost in 2 but I love it

[@MR.B00_]

You have done a very nice restoration, especially considering what you started with. I was expecting the final result to be some kraut franken-helmet. But you have a nice example of showpiece WW1 headgear.

[@Hitr-yq6el]

Well done ! Good job! What mark decals do U use ?

[@robsteries]

What a waste of beauty, this time.

[@makarov9419]

Actually the state of both those helmets would most likely means being melted down or scrapped, and before people say they had a sorry to tell, all the holes look like it was just rusted out after being abandoned

[@robsteries]

@@makarov9419 I wasn't saying that. I was talking pure esthetically. Nothing more, nothing less.

[@user-uo8xv2qr4p]

Однозначно лайк. Реставрация отличная. 👍👍👍

[@drunkabilly21]

Where have u buy the inlay and so on

[@roybrown4944]

A lot of work, so much dedication.

[@Marvin-ek9ov]

Excellent job of restoration, for sure. Unless the helmet was recirculated for use in WWIi, it wouldn't have a Nazi decal. My WWI Artillery helmet (with inner liner) is in undamaged original condition but has no decals whatsoever.

[@WadoViceMan]

its M1916/31

[@yorgunsamuray]

The original state was a museum-worthy piece that musta been left as is. The work is impressive though. I wouldn't put Nazi symbols if I were you, perhaps just the eagle, or keep the Austrian version.

[@nicole14355]

Love your videos. Very relaxing at night. A question. Why did you sand sand majority of the primer off? Im thinking its to make it extra smooth??

[@kjnguyen1385]

That’s a m16 stahlhelm from ww1

[@l.i.m.6829]

Ww1 helmets were used in ww2 too

[@wwiituberestoration1011]

This model of helmet M17 was used by Germany forces at the World War II. I decided to recreate the model of the helmet that was used by the Wehrmacht troops after the Anschluss of Austria in 1938. www.militarytour.com/blog/the-german-m1935-helmet-history/

[@user-js4zb3vb5x]

ценность была в сохране , а это... проще новый изготовить. За старания респект

[@andreibitsel3072]

Несколько лет назад, по работе, был на одном складе. Так там стояли поддоны с немецкими касками времён 2 мировой, на вскидку их там было не меньше 500 шт. Все как новые.

[@joaquingarridotaboada3410]

Wow, that was a lot of work, but amazing piece.

[@gasmaskguy6032]

Insane restauration, where do you get the liner? Vecause im searching one for a M38 Hungarian stahlhelm

[@RandomEngineer]

Really Amazing Restoration.Not easy.Hope you enjoy alot during restoring it and viewers enjoyed during watching it.

[@buzzsaw42productions63]

The Frankenstalhelm

[@reenactmentdays5891]

Where did you get the stencils?

[@2foodisgood]

where did you get those stickers i cant find them on amazon

[@Chevman-jt6qj]

I knew he would bust out the bondo at some point

[@shintokatana17]

I disagree with that first statement but thats an awesome restoration!

[@46FreddieMercury91]

this is one of the most amazing things i have ever seen. Well done!

[@icspawn]

Imperial Startrooper helmet. First Imperial Era. Parsec 8918. Good piece.

[@alfredrondorf8717]

Yeah you member of al lost Empire ,next war coming soon!👹💥💥💥

[@catagamer6135]

Beautiful work! it's nice to see how you restore this beautiful helmet! ❤

[@billys3400]

I actually like the helmet in it's damaged state. All the holes are kinda like mini maps of certain sectors of a battlefield. I would have chrome plated it as it is and placed it on a wooden plinth. I love watching your restoration work nonetheless.

[@jeffjuliebrown8615]

Fabulous craftsmanship! Well done

[@Tony-112]

The welding is my favourite part, welding is great.👌

[@shellsbignumber2]

The original helmet would look great as a Nazi Zombie.

[@sugarbxnny741]

This is ww1, Nazis didn’t exist yet.

[@baroneblades5386]

@@sugarbxnny741 nether do Zombies

[@MrDooovooo]

@@sugarbxnny741 Didn't notice the swastika, historian?