Been lurking/learning here for a while now and love the knowledge. I'm a long-time Imperial collector but a generalist, and not a pickel expert by any means. I'm looking to really just have representative examples of different states/styles in the best condition possible. Fortunately there are the War Bond helmets! I picked this up not too long ago and love the condition overall, and would not clean or touch it. the only thing I'd consider is the misshapenness. I have done my research here, and seen the different approaches. the use of humidity is the only one think I'd consider, but I wanted to opinions of those here that have done such work! If I didn't touch it at all I wouldn't really mind cause it displays pretty well. And I do not want to cause any damage. it is VERY dry. What would you folks recommend? THX John P
First post and hoping for some advice!
- Thread starter Yellowkid
- Start date
CLOVIS 57
Well-known member
Hello,
Here are 3 spiked helmets that were in poor condition when they were purchased. (Each is followed by a photo of the result.
Principle: wet the inside of the leather with a brush and warm water at 35°Celsius. Place the leather shell on a hat stand and leave to dry for 2 days.
Hello,
Here are 3 spiked helmets that were in poor condition when they were purchased. (Each is followed by a photo of the result.
Principle: wet the inside of the leather with a brush and warm water at 35°Celsius. Place the leather shell on a hat stand and leave to dry for 2 days.
Here are 3 spiked helmets that were in poor condition when they were purchased. (Each is followed by a photo of the result.
Principle: wet the inside of the leather with a brush and warm water at 35°Celsius. Place the leather shell on a hat stand and leave to dry for 2 days.
Hello,
Here are 3 spiked helmets that were in poor condition when they were purchased. (Each is followed by a photo of the result.
Principle: wet the inside of the leather with a brush and warm water at 35°Celsius. Place the leather shell on a hat stand and leave to dry for 2 days.
Khukri
Well-known member
Top!
CLOVIS 57
Well-known member
Yes, including my boxwood shape, which I bought a very long time ago at a flea market.
Steve Nick
Well-known member
Now that would be a handy item to have on hand.
MAP
Active member
Check out Skipper Greenwades hat stands and stretchers
High quality, reasonably priced with lots of options. You can have the stands laser engraved with an Imperial design or have base inlayed with a black and white wood to match the ribbon of a WW1 Iron Cross.
I have probably 20 of these in all different sizes.
Here are some examples
High quality, reasonably priced with lots of options. You can have the stands laser engraved with an Imperial design or have base inlayed with a black and white wood to match the ribbon of a WW1 Iron Cross.
I have probably 20 of these in all different sizes.
HEADGEAR DISPLAYS
edged-weapon displays display cases hat stands helmet display
www.skippergreenwade.com
Here are some examples
southsando
Well-known member
MAP
Active member
Great guy. Class act. He was always my first table visit when I entered the MAX show and used to clean out a nice portion of what he brought. LoL
Always felt bad for the other guys who came after me 
How flexible is the leather body in the de-formed area? If it is very stiff, you would have to wet the inner leather and proceed as suggested above. Due to the really nice condition of your helmet, I would be careful if you choose to take this approach. In addition to the plastic bag on the head form that Brian mentions above, I like to also place a piece of thin plastic bag material between the body of the helmet and the liner to prevent moisture from wicking into the liner. If the body is flexible, then I would just place the helmet on a head form or stretcher and be done. I have cut pieces of 5/8” plywood out to the oval shape of a head cross-section fitted to the inner helmet and left them in place for several months. The helmet will then retain that shape, especially if you control the humidity of the storage area.
thank you! and that was what I was wondering. it is very stiff and would crack if I simply tried to re-shape it. and to your point I share your concern about wetting anything given the condition. I suspect any water would stain. I feel like humidity would be the only a[proach but it may be too stiff for that. it is nice otherwise so maybe the best thing is to leave be?