CHINSTRAP-REAL OR REPRO

F

Foxdoublegunner

New member
Gentlemen,
I would like to get your opinions on the chinstrap which just was listed in ebay. It is in rough shape and my gut says that it is a repro based upon the chinstrap sticky on the forum, but wanted to get your comments. Is the seller known in the community?


http://www.ebay.com/itm/Original-WW1-German-Relic-Pickelhaube-Helmet-Parts-Strap-Buckles-Side-post-/171652607304?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27f74aed48" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Thank you,
Ricardo
 
Yes, the condition of the strap compared to the level of deterioration of the helmet leather is one questionable detail. The buckles also appear to be of the design noted on many repros in that I don't see any rounded edges and they do not appear to be very robust. I also do not see indications of a border indentation along the edges of the chinstrap but that could be due to general deterioration of the leather. Are there other indicators?

Regards,
Ricardo
 
"The condition is very good but take notice that it was in the ground for over 90 years!"
It mean that the leather is hard and fragile. Take care! [-(
 
Ricardo,

Save your money. Guys like this make life very difficult for collectors like Leone. Does anyone really think this could have survived when the helmet did not…
 
Just you need to have experience to give second life for this. And it never will be good condition anyway. I saw and touch on my hands many different items from the ground (incl. leather's) on 1WW front line. And how I understand the seller warn about surprise. :)
 
Many leather goods are stored in the ground very well. Eg for ammunition pouches and belts. I do not have any doubt as to the originality of the leather strap.
 
It may be real but I am not convinced of its authenticity. Main reason: I don't like the appearance of the backside as it seems to be dyed, which is frequently observed in fakes. Just my thoughts and perhaps I am wrong here :D

Regards,

Edwin
 
Sergei1877 said:
Many leather goods are stored in the ground very well. Eg for ammunition pouches and belts. I do not have any doubt as to the originality of the leather strap.
Click to expand...
Of course it is original, but is it perfect condition or not depends from ground. Seller said: "The condition is very good but take notice that it was in the ground for over 90 years!" May be for some collector's in ground found items it is OK, but many of them want as possible better condition.
 
Gentlemen,
Thank you all very much for your insights. It has been helpful to hear your opinions based upon the varied experiences acquired over the years, particularly those from the Latvian collectors who have actually recovered items from the ground there as conditions vary greatly from area to area.
Aside from the condition , which is obviously a bit rough, I was trying to focus on details of construction such as the thickness and finish of the buckles, finishing of the leather etc which are not very visible to my eye in the fotos.

Regards,
Ricardo
 
I agree with Sergei. The tanning chemicals can preserve leather which has been buried even from Roman times. I don't think the reverse side being black means anything. I think that that is the effect of being buried. You can see also, that the stitching has rotted out, there is nothing really holding the fittings on any more. If you were going to use this on a helmet, it would have to be restitched. Why did the shell not survive?? I have no clue. Perhaps a chemical reaction between shellac, earth and water??
 
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