Front rail?

[Kaisersammler]

Can one of the specialists tell me why this front rail is grey? It's not worn, the grey color is uniform.

 

[J.LeBrasseur]

Most likely a late war helmet where they used zinc metal parts, often the finish fades away with time and the zinc shoes through.

James

 

[b.loree]

James is correct. The helmet could be a mix of brass and zinc fittings. Usually the wappen is brass while the other parts can be zinc.

 

[Sandmann]

One more thing. Also the wappen was usually made of brass, there were also some helmets with a wappen made of fire-gilded zinc. Here are some examples:

(Source: https://www.ratisbons.com/de/41st-c...evauleger-reserve-officer-s-spike-helmet.html)

(Source: https://schlender-antik.com/shop/pickelhaube-preussen-infanterie-offizier-mit-tarnueberzug/)

 

[Kaisersammler]

Thanks for your help. Let me explain my problem.

I wanted to sell this helmet, but everyone complained about the visor. Re-gilding it is out of the question for me.