Help me identify WWII German headgear

[heyjerr]

My brother is a painter working on a jobsite of a family whose deceased patriarch was a collector of militaria. The family let the work crew know that items within a shed were up for grabs, as they had already removed what they had wanted. My brother removed a number of old electronic items for himself but figured I might be able to find out info on a few German items that appear to be from WWII. Aside from some 30-06 [whoops, NOT!] in stripper clips held in canvas pouches, and what appears to be Czech silvertip 7.62x54mmR (rimmed), there was also what I think is an M1948 Yugoslavian bayonet (pre-1953) that still has cosmoline on the blade.

I am not really familiar with headgear but a little online searching got me started. I'm hoping someone here can fill in the missing details as these "appear" to be genuine. I've read there are a lot of fakes out there so I really have no clue.

1 - appears to be an M35 or M40 stahlhelm (steel helmet) with a tri-color camo, according to http://www.worldwartwohelmets.com/german.html. The condition of the paint appears to be quite antiqued/flaking and possibly original. There is a stamp inside the back (612) and one inside the left (SE64), as well as a handwritten "HG" on the liner.

2 - appears to be either a kriegsmarine or reichsbahn overseas cap with no manufacturer's mark, but a faint "56" is printed inside.

3 -appears to be a German Railway (reichsbahn) Visor of some sort. What I've seen online makes me think the authenticity of this one is suspect, as there are no visible manufaturer's marks except for a light "57" inside. I dare not fold the headband in as it is quite brittle.

[heyjerr]

And here are pics of the ammo and bayo

[pacrat]

Ammo in strippers looks more like 8x57, just visually comparing bullet dia to neck length. And the canvas bandolera is same as some mil-surp 8x57 I bought years ago.

So much glare combined with elder eyes, I can't make out headstamp.

[pitfighter]

Reichsbahn Railway official cap. Train Wheel in eagle wings.

The red piping on the soft overseas cap and symbol are also Reichsbahn (railway official.)
Not sure why anyone would make fakes, they're not worth so much, but you never know.

The camouflage helmet is a score, if its good. The faking of those for the last few decades makes them really hard to authenticate.
Try one of the forums like WAF, you'll know if it's good as all the experts will say it's a fake and then offer you money for it in DM's - they're a bunch of total wankers on WAF, but it does serve as a good reverse litmus test.

Turkish ball ammunition - 7.92x57 Mauser - I think do not shoot in a semi-auto - they are infamous for wrecking expensive rifles, MG34 semi autos etc.,
The enamel case is Czech 7.62x54.

The M1948 Yugo bayonet looks like a nice arsenal refurb.

[TRAP55]

Turk 8x57, Cupronickel bullet, and the other is Czech (bxn) 7.62x54 silvertip light ball, steel core, boat tail bullet.

[heyjerr]

Oh dang! I just compared the brass rounds to my 30-06 and they are definitely different. (notice the 5 point crimp, too)



This is the best I can focus on the case stamps:

[Yetiultimate]

The helmet is a M40 with what folks commonly call "normandie camo". Very frequently faked, going back 20-30 years or more. Don't waste your time with WAF. Go to German Helmet Walhalla (https://www.ghw2.com). Pay the $30 for the membership so you can post photos, and put lots of good pics in the Helmet Authentication thread. Take pics inside and out, in clear daylight and also inside light. They will give you a brutally honest review. But...you'll know if you have a $2000 helmet or a $200 art project.

Personally, I think the liner's been replaced but I'd need much better pics. God luck, hoping for the best for you.

[heyjerr]

I posted a few more pics into a private gallery. Hopefully these clear things up a bit more as you can enlarge to original size.

[Yetiultimate]

Just my opinion, but it’s been cleaned and the liner’s been messed with. The lot and batch number are correct for a SD Heer, which it appears to be, but camos are a dangerous game. Again, GHW is your best bet at a critical review.

[RHSth4]

Anybody want to teach me more of my passed down piece of history?

[pitfighter]

The Reichsluftschutzbund (RLB) were the air raid police organization in Nazi Germany.
An Air Raid Police helmet.

[RHSth4]

The Reichsluftschutzbund (RLB) were the air raid police organization in Nazi Germany.
An Air Raid Police helmet.

Thank you very much for the info!

[heyjerr]

The helmet is a M40 with what folks commonly call "normandie camo". Very frequently faked, going back 20-30 years or more. Don't waste your time with WAF. Go to German Helmet Walhalla (https://www.ghw2.com). Pay the $30 for the membership so you can post photos, and put lots of good pics in the Helmet Authentication thread. Take pics inside and out, in clear daylight and also inside light. They will give you a brutally honest review. But...you'll know if you have a $2000 helmet or a $200 art project.

Personally, I think the liner's been replaced but I'd need much better pics. God luck, hoping for the best for you.

Thank you for this lead. I ended up posting in GHW. One year membership is actually only $15. Once I shared all of the closeup pix, they let me know it was authentic. No comments about any of the hardware and the value could be $2500-3k!

[Yetiultimate]

Thank you for this lead. I ended up posting in GHW. One year membership is actually only $15. Once I shared all of the closeup pix, they let me know it was authentic. No comments about any of the hardware and the value could be $2500-3k!

Very good, glad they gave you a favorable review. I'm over there too and they've saved me from a bad purchase or two.