Graham Maddox wrote articles on pikel restoration years ago, in a short lived publication in the 1960's called "PhotoWar" and later, I think, in "The Armourer".
I've commented before on how horrific the articles are, a case of fiddling with what doesn't need fiddling with in order to fix what doesn't need fixing, risking unnecessary damage by stripping metalwork off in order to sand down blemishes on the leather, bending pins and prongs and unbolting things and re staining and lacquering the things in order to destroy any originality and produce a shiny virtual replica - truly, truly beyond the pale.
Well intentioned advice no doubt but I shudder when I think of those articles.
Unfortunately the prices of these helmets go up and up, and the more affordable basic Prussian M1915 helmets are being stripped down from complete and whole helmets to component parts including the peaks, neckguards and liners, all sold separately in order that people can complete "Frankenhelms" out of "spare parts".
For years I've been waiting for a Prussian Garde Jaeger / Schutzen officers tschako plate, it's doubtful I'll ever afford one now.
Way off topic, that sounded suspiciously like a rant ending in tears of self pity.
I have very similar to those two Prussian buttons, still searching for them.
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