The final results on this Grenadier helmet:
I am not thrilled with the results here but it is the best that I can do. Unfortunately, I am a perfectionist and this tilted spike bugs me but we have to keep in mind, the first photos of the rotted top. Note as well, the pitting shown on the brass trim, wappen and shellac. Perhaps heavy tobacco smoke?? Something acidic for sure!
One spike base split brad had to be replaced and the others annealed so the prongs would not break. Annealing blackens the brass so these parts have to be cleaned before putting them back on...so they are shiny. Better this than broken prongs!
The space between shell and spine also illustrates the leather shrinkage that I have mentioned before. There is almost .25"/5mm difference between the edge of the visor and the end of the spine.
I will apply some black shoe polish along the stitch line to fill in a bit so that it does not scream re stitch! Mathew sent me a Wurttemberg officer as well so that will be dealt with next.
I am not thrilled with the results here but it is the best that I can do. Unfortunately, I am a perfectionist and this tilted spike bugs me but we have to keep in mind, the first photos of the rotted top. Note as well, the pitting shown on the brass trim, wappen and shellac. Perhaps heavy tobacco smoke?? Something acidic for sure!One spike base split brad had to be replaced and the others annealed so the prongs would not break. Annealing blackens the brass so these parts have to be cleaned before putting them back on...so they are shiny. Better this than broken prongs!
The space between shell and spine also illustrates the leather shrinkage that I have mentioned before. There is almost .25"/5mm difference between the edge of the visor and the end of the spine. I will apply some black shoe polish along the stitch line to fill in a bit so that it does not scream re stitch! Mathew sent me a Wurttemberg officer as well so that will be dealt with next.
