1876 lacquer

[DGabenHun]

Dear Members,
I have read many articles on this forum about leather helmet restorations and many times I saw, that most of the restorers use the famous "1876 lacquer" on the shell. I have saw older posts where the ingridiens where mentioned, but in the newer post I see that some parts can be changed or there are maybe better solutions. I would like to know, that at the moment, what do you think, what is the best recipe? And what is your opinion, was this lacquer used on the leather firefighter helmets too that was used around the 19. century in Germany?

 

[Naprawiacz]

Dear Members,
I have read many articles on this forum about leather helmet restorations and many times I saw, that most of the restorers use the famous "1876 lacquer" on the shell. I have saw older posts where the ingridiens where mentioned, but in the newer post I see that some parts can be changed or there are maybe better solutions. I would like to know, that at the moment, what do you think, what is the best recipe? And what is your opinion, was this lacquer used on the leather firefighter helmets too that was used around the 19. century in Germany?

You can make the original varnish yourself. The easiest way is to remove the peeling old varnish from the helmet and pour 90% alcohol over it.Firefighter helmets were also painted using this method.

 

[DGabenHun]

You can make the original varnish yourself. The easiest way is to remove the peeling old varnish from the helmet and pour 90% alcohol over it.Firefighter helmets were also painted using this method.

Now this is what I haven't tought about before, thank you. Unfortunately there are helmets in my collections, that doesn't have enough "flakes" on it, so I have to make a new layer with the old recipe. But will use the varnish from now on! And thank you for the pictures, the mixture in the end looks great.

 

[DGabenHun]

 

[Naprawiacz]

All mounts and wappen are installed upside down and must be compatible with the helmet visor.I can help you,but it all depends on where you live,because the shipping costs of repair materials and customs duties will make the repair unprofitable.

 

[DGabenHun]

All mounts and wappen are installed upside down and must be compatible with the helmet visor.I can help you,but it all depends on where you live,because the shipping costs of repair materials and customs duties will make the repair unprofitable.

I live in Hungary, so not too far from you. So there won't be any problems with the shipping costs and customs. How much would the repair material cost for a helmet like this?

 

[Naprawiacz]

„Lengyel, Magyar – két jó barát, együtt harcol, s issza borát”.This is a very large scope of work for a good conservator.If you want to learn, I will guide you.If you don't feel up to it, I'll do it for you.You only pay for shipping plus material, approximately 27 euros.

 

[DGabenHun]

Hahh, love to read this sentence from a polish friend the best would be, if you would guide me trough the process of the restauration and I could learn how to and what to do with the other helmets that I have, but at the moment I don't have too much time. So maybe the right option would be the second.

 

[coert65]

Hahh, love to read this sentence from a polish friend the best would be, if you would guide me trough the process of the restauration and I could learn how to and what to do with the other helmets that I have, but at the moment I don't have too much time. So maybe the right option would be the second.

I'd leave it to Wojtek if I were you. He is a master in restoring helmets.

 

[DGabenHun]

I'd leave it to Wojtek if I were you. He is a master in restoring helmets.

Yes, saw many post from him and I am amazed what he can do with the battered helmets.

 

[Naprawiacz]

Over the centuries we have formed unbreakable ties.You can quote a small passage from modern history.In 1920, during the Polish-Soviet war, only Hungary at the last minute provided the Poles with a train of ammunition,and the rest of the countries imposed an embargo on supplies to us. In 1939, the Hungarian prime minister did not allow the Vermacht to march troops through his territory,and after losing the war you allowed the survivors of our army to pass peacefully to France.In 1944 during the Warsaw Uprising you helped the insurgents despite the fact that you were on the side of the Germans.The Hungarian uprising, also known as the Hungarian Revolution, began on October 23, 1956. It was an expression of solidarity between Hungarians and Poland, as well as a desire to break out from Soviet domination. The Soviet Union entered Hungary on November 4. It was a bloody end to the heroic uprising of the Hungarians.You had many wounded, and Poles donated blood for you in large numbers.This was the only way we could help while under the boot of the Soviet Union.Such things are not forgotten.I will send you an email with my address then you will send the item.

 

[HatEnjoyer]

You can make the original varnish yourself. The easiest way is to remove the peeling old varnish from the helmet and pour 90% alcohol over it.Firefighter helmets were also painted using this method.

Hi Wojtek! What is the alcohol to old varnish ratio you use for this method?

 

[Naprawiacz]

Hi Wojtek! What is the alcohol to old varnish ratio you use for this method?

You pour the old shellac with 90% or 95% spirit alone.In some countries, e.g. Sweden, it is treated as a drug and there are problems with its purchase.After pouring shellac with spirit, you need to stir the concoction twice a day.First the coloring will be brown, and later the rabbit glue will sink to the bottom, and at the top it will be black.If you have cavities in the structure then you need to fill them with primer, otherwise the shellac will seep to the other side.I paint the helmet several times, and then gently paste it with neutral Bundeswehr paste.

 

[HatEnjoyer]

You pour the old shellac with 90% or 95% spirit alone.In some countries, e.g. Sweden, it is treated as a drug and there are problems with its purchase.After pouring shellac with spirit, you need to stir the concoction twice a day.First the coloring will be brown, and later the rabbit glue will sink to the bottom, and at the top it will be black.If you have cavities in the structure then you need to fill them with primer, otherwise the shellac will seep to the other side.I paint the helmet several times, and then gently paste it with neutral Bundeswehr paste.

Got it, thanks!

 

[DGabenHun]

Over the centuries we have formed unbreakable ties.You can quote a small passage from modern history.In 1920, during the Polish-Soviet war, only Hungary at the last minute provided the Poles with a train of ammunition,and the rest of the countries imposed an embargo on supplies to us. In 1939, the Hungarian prime minister did not allow the Vermacht to march troops through his territory,and after losing the war you allowed the survivors of our army to pass peacefully to France.In 1944 during the Warsaw Uprising you helped the insurgents despite the fact that you were on the side of the Germans.The Hungarian uprising, also known as the Hungarian Revolution, began on October 23, 1956. It was an expression of solidarity between Hungarians and Poland, as well as a desire to break out from Soviet domination. The Soviet Union entered Hungary on November 4. It was a bloody end to the heroic uprising of the Hungarians.You had many wounded, and Poles donated blood for you in large numbers.This was the only way we could help while under the boot of the Soviet Union.Such things are not forgotten.I will send you an email with my address then you will send the item.

I was glad to read this article about our countrys common history, and this haven't been forgotten. Thank you!