How to Restore a Steel Helmet
 

Some might say restore, I would say ruin:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQXG5Qk52mo

I'm firmly in the it's "ruined" camp.

I saw a bit of an "American Restorer" or something programme on TV months ago, someone brought grandad's helmet worn when he was helicopter crew in Vietnam to a "restorer".
Original paint finish and unit artwork on it.
It ended up looking all shiney new, repainted, unit insignia etc redone.
It's down to the owners to do what they will with their property but to me that sort of thing is beyond the pale.
Makes far more sense to buy a repro if you want a shiney new looking ornament rather than destroy a historical artefact.

A case of blatant criminal damage in my opinion.:eek:

Simon.

Nothing short of sacrilege. It is absolutely appalling.

I wonder if matey helmet "restorer" (and what's so difficult about stripping down, cleaning and repainting a helmet like the one in the video anyway, why so proud of that simple act of vandalism?) would give a WWII German tin lid a rub down and repaint, replace the transfers, make it "good as new" - and then wonder why a few noughts have just dropped off the tail end of its monetary value?

The notion of 'it's only original once' seems thoroughly lost on this chap.

Rgds, Thomas

A better title 'How to Fcuk up a Helmet'.
What a helmet.
Tony

Blimey. Oh dear. Triggers broom springs to mind.

And I thought my mum was a menace to militaria with her cleaning, this guy is something else!

Was trying to explain to a younger person who owns his grandads Ww1 / Ww2 medal group hes had the medals professionally cleaned an new ribbons added ( wants to wear them on the 11th ) He's delighted how they now look, I asked him

" please tell me u kept all the original ribbons "??
even just in a box as they are wat the guy wore at all the reunion's in the 1930's they are part of the history - thibk you all no wat his answer was ...

He is not the only menace, there seem to be a lot of them about. Here is somebody ruining a US army shovel:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZxHt9UoTDs

I wouldn't let these people anywhere near my collection.

PS

I have just looked again at the original video, and see that both are of the same vandal.

Hello

in France, this M51 helmet in mint condition, about 15 euros

In time spent, products and paint, the price of the helmet is multiplied by 50... at least :D

cordially
Didier

The shovel was totally wrong. Not a restoration.

American Restoration is the program. My dad and I call it American Destruction. Take a nice item and make it into a fake.