Search results

Rinse the wd-40 and clp away with acetone or similar solvent. Get Lime Away cleaner at Wally World or grocery store and soak the nuts several times for a day or two. The studs and nuts are brass and the cleaner should soak thru the threads and loosen any verdigris. That’s what I use to clean...

On the Griffin Militaria example, I believe the washer “ghost” was likely from a standard black metal washer plate, placed on the wrong side as we commonly see. I was skeptical about the cardboard washer being original, but it appears that the bottom outer edge of your spike base has a sharp...

I have a felt Bavarian with rolled edge and reinforced sides. I also have a black shellac coated Prussian felt with rolled edges and reinforced sides. I wonder if my Bavarian and your example were destined to be black shellac coated and are transitional variants? In 45 years of collecting...

Hang in there Brian. Your first statement “This thing just keeps on fighting me” echoes my very words on many similar projects. The broken stitch holes make for a challenge. Can you use the red cloth backing as a reinforcement with fabric glue between it and the leather? Or add an additional...

Alan, does the metal underneath the gold finish appear to be brass? Or silver?

I appreciate your efforts Brian. Been there myself. When I need red or green oil cloth for visors, I find an old cloth covered book and harvest the fabric. It’ virtually identical to original. Many color shades out there, but it’s easy to find what looks period, also dependent on wear. You...

I use a small round wood based rod. They come in 24” lengths and are very similar to the strips in our haubes. I had a neighbor 20 years ago that did basket weaving and I got them from her. I believe they use a similar product to wedge and retain the ends of the thin wood flat strips in a...

Thank you for the great photos. Ersatz are my favorites. One of these days I am going to sit down and try to make note of all the variants I am aware of.

Very nice helmets. I have a Prussian paper mache one with a trichter and hair plume. It does not have the detail that some above have. I haven’t seen one for sale in quite some time.

I have used new leather to rebuild several rotted straps over the years, and did not know a method of rolling the indented linear bead on the outer edges of the strap. I suspect you moisten the leather first, but what type of tool to use? Everything I see available on-line cuts a groove.

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...

I have restored several kurassier/jzp helmets. The first an m15 grey trim that I spent days on sanding with every conceivable device possible. You have to start with aggressive grit first and reduce to finer grits as you progress. You have to be careful not to sand too deeply on the badly...

I needed this one badly enough to bid seriously, but was unfortunately runner-up to the winning bidder. Hopefully the new owner has the skills and love to repair it properly. It should be an easy project.

I will take this. Please contact me for payment method and shipping information.