The Leather Chin Strap

[Stahlhelm]

One more picture showing a fake chinstrap with a "Otto Koch & Co. Berlin 1917" maker stamp. A large number of these fake chinstraps began showing up for sale as originals in the 90s. Most of them were as obvious as this one, but I've since seen a few that have been aged. (I should point out that original chinstraps and steel helmet leather liner pads etc. with this maker stamp do exist .)
Hans

 

[pointystuff]

There used to be a fellow in Pennsylvania who made chinstraps. It seems he may have had a set of original tooling for the metal parts.

 

[Adler]

Here are some other variations gentlemen...

Adler

Black M91


Black M15


Brown M15


Black M15, ersatz leather with poor finish


Black M15, ersatz leather with poor finish


Green M15 (this goes along with the color of the green fittings of the helmet)


Brown M15


Brown M15, shiny finish


Black M15, ersatz leather


Canvas M91


Papercloth M15


M18


Brown M15


Dark brown M91


Black ersatz, typical for this model only


Rebuild chinscales

 

[edwin]

Nice helmets Adler. Very impressive!

I've been following this one on ebay for the past few days. Is it really authenthic as claimed by the seller? It looks good to me after closer inspection of all the other chinstraps posted here.

http://cgi.ebay.fr/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280646959173&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

Best regards,

Edwin

 

[RON]

Looks good to me after comparison too:
- Pre 1915 finer brass buckles
- Thicker (rarer) end M91 fittings
- Leather hair (smooth) side out / flesh (rough) side in / dyed on the outside only
- Hand stiched as it should be according to seller
Best of all, price is still enticing...

 

[b.loree]

That is a sweet original strap. The repros do not have the thicker model of M91 end fitting that we have identified in our tutorial here. Plus look at the age cracks in the leather. Very nice.....dont get too excited Ron, it will probably go for the usual amount $200+

 

[edwin]

That is a sweet original strap. The repros do not have the thicker model of M91 end fitting that we have identified in our tutorial here. Plus look at the age cracks in the leather. Very nice.....dont get too excited Ron, it will probably go for the usual amount $200+

As often on ebay, the price will probably explode in the last minute

Regards,

Edwin

 

[edwin]

Fortunately, the price did not explode in the last minute. I got this strap for 81 euros which equals $113

Best regards,

Edwin

 

[RON]

Nice!! You could easily resell it for twice that amount on eBay US...

 

[RON]

Gents, what do you think about this one?
Shouldn't the reverse be undyed (original brown leather color)?
What about those buckles and fittings?
This one seems to have fake written all over but I could be wrong... :?

 

[RON]

So what do you guys think of this last chinstrap... Am I right to think it's fake?

 

[Stahlhelm]

I agree Ron. Looks like an artificially aged repro to me.

 

[edwin]

This one is up for auction on ebay.fr:

http://cgi.ebay.fr/authentique-jugulaire-de-Casque-a-pointe-Pickelhaube-/170623016152?pt=FR_JG_Collections_Militaria_Uniformes&hash=item27b9ec9cd8

Seller claims its authentic, and it looks ok to me.


Best regards,

Edwin

 

[b.loree]

The French strap....Put together....the buckles are different in thickness. One is the "fine" pre war variety with rounded edges and the other seems flat and thicker. The clincher though is that the end fittings do not match. We have one of the less common "thick" fittings paired up with the more usual cut out type. One of these fittings also looks brass to me and the other steel although this could be a light problem when the photo was taken. Leather does look good.
The other, strap pictured by Ron I agree is an artificially aged piece. Note the "rust" on the fittings especially the front buckle close up. This is light coloured new rust whch has been deliberately created. Old original rust has a much deeper colour to it. I always use this colour difference when I am looking at something suspicious. Iam going to post some additional strap pics soon.

 

[RON]

You're right Brian, the end fittings are different and this has nothing to do with the lighting otherwise they wouldn't look different in both close-ups... (the brass one is the thicker type)

 

[edwin]

Yes chaps I agree, this French strap is composed of different parts. Buckles are different like the end fittings. I did not study the pictures well enough the first time.

Best regards,

Edwin

 

[RON]

I finally found the energy to properly shoot what I hope is an original ERSATZ chinstrap of mine... It has all the aspects of a replacement strap (cloth instead of leather and 'rough' chunky steel buckles & end fittings).
There's what seems to be a similar one on Kaiser's Bunker (http://www.kaisersbunker.com/feldgrau/helmets/m16camo.htm).
What do you guys think?

 

[RON]

Gents, what do you think of that Ersatz Chinstrap (previous post)?

 

[Robert]

I have one which has a bit thinner cloth, also darker although not as green as the picture suggests. I got it separate, hopefully it's good but who can tell - a cloth strap can been replaced easier than leather.

 

[b.loree]

Thanks for the posts of the cloth straps guys. They both look good to me and I have never really had the chance to see some good pics of them before. Quite rare pieces in my estimation.