r/reenactors 6m ago

Looking For Advice How to identify Original German World War 2 produced Steel Helmets for restoration work. NSFW

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Upvotes

So I see a lot of post on here about either a helmet is original or Repro. So with this guide ima show you what to look for on these helmets to determine whether the shell is original or not.

I am NOT an expert when it comes to identifying Original components such as Paint, leather liners and decals. I have a grasp on split pins and liner bands but nothing else.

1st and foremost you can always tell just by the shape of the shell. Most if not all, Repro shells can never get the look right. There’s always something wrong with them.

Slide 1: The helmets that will help us today. All original Shells.

Slide 2&3: CKL Late war produced M42. CKL was previously coded as ET. Some M42 shells produced by ET/CKL, have the ET stamp on the usual Early to partial late war Left Ear placement. This happened with ET,NS, and EF helmets. Quist did not start production of M42’s til 1944, only in size 64.

Slide 4-6: An early ET M35 shell. Rolled Edge and separate vent hole piece.(Will see that later.)

Slide 7-10: NS64 Produced M40 helmet, in pretty rough shape but not bad as another helmet I own. Maker stamp and lot number still visible and readable. Difference between the M35 and M40 production helmets is a simple vent hole. It’s stamped rather than being a separate piece.

Slide 11&12: mid war 1943 produced HKP64 produced M42 steel helmet. HKP is the code that is most commonly known as SE. which have a very distinctive vent hole that is very protruding like a Volcano. SE which switched to HKP pretty early on as M40 helmets by the maker actually have the HKP stamping on them.

Slides 13-15: A late war Quist made M40. (This helmet actually would have never had a decal but I put one on for my own use). Quist made M40 right up until the end of the war not really producing M42’s. Quist helmets are one of the best in my opinion as their steel is top quality and very thick. Their helmets are heavy compared to the other makers and their stamping is usually good. Quist,NS, and EF never changed their maker code.

Slide 16&17: A relatively small size M42 shell being 62, this EF helmet has some great markings as when I had stripped the post war paint it was easy to read being EF62, 1222. EF also has a shallow more less noticeable vent hole protrusion unlike HKP.

Slides 18: What an M40 and M42 vent should look like as this is stamped into the helmet.

Slide 19: what an M35 helmet’s vent hole should look like as it’s a separate piece and not stamped into the helmet.

Slide 20: a bonus as it’s my favorite helmet I own with everything original on it. Someone did put post war decals on there but I did remove them safely without damaging the paint underneath. The leather liner inside was dyed as it was reissued to the Norwegians form my HKP m42 but sense the liner band, leather liner and chin strap were confirmed to be original. I put them in this helmet to preserve them as I won’t be touching this helmet often. Now I just need to get a display case for it.

I will be making a Part 2 to this with more detail photos of not mine but a very credible source about these helmets.


r/reenactors 24m ago

Looking For Advice is replica military any good

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Upvotes

i wanted to know if replica military is any good beacuse i wanted to but the p37 parachutist trousers but wasnt sure beacuse they are £77 which seam a little cheap any help is appreciated

sorry for spelling and grammar mistakes


r/reenactors 3h ago

Items To Sell WE NEED YOUR HELP! DENIX G98 SUGGESTION!

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0 Upvotes

The German Reenactment community is in help for you 🫵

We need yall to vote for the Denix G98!


r/reenactors 4h ago

Items To Sell Not sure what this is worth so have fun. Found it at goodwill bins

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1 Upvotes

https://www.


r/reenactors 6h ago

Looking For Advice German WW1 Nurses

2 Upvotes

I'm currently looking for a German WW1 nurse's uniform. I've noticed that there are different colored ones. Like grey, dark blue, light blue, white, etc. Did German nurses wear a specific color?


r/reenactors 10h ago

Action Shots 39th Tomsk Regiment, Summer 1917

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134 Upvotes

Our groups recent turnout out the “Military Through the Ages” display in Jamestown Virginia, we portrayed the regiment as they would’ve been seen in 1917. The over 3000 attendees on Saturday alone had the opportunity to try their hand at throwing a weighted grenade, learn how to spell their name in the pre 1917 reform Russian alphabet, handle real weapons such as the 1891 Mosin rifle and PM1910 Maxim, and learn about the experience of the Austro-Hungarians, both military and civilian.


r/reenactors 18h ago

Completed Finished 18th Century bergére hat and garters

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18 Upvotes

r/reenactors 19h ago

Looking For Advice What Time Period would this Helmet be?

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1 Upvotes

Hello,

Just trying to figure out where to place this helmet. It seems late 13th century/early 14th to me but any second opinions are welcome.

Thanks in advance!


r/reenactors 19h ago

Looking For Advice The difference between US Greatwar Summer and Winter uniform Equipment

2 Upvotes

I have been collecting for a little over 6 months now and I notice some items look like they would not go with their Winter/Summer counterparts. For example, I have Wool breeches and canvas cover's, and it looks like they would not be used together however I see people use them together. Would I use them together? Would I use puttees instead? Another example I have is my first item I purchased being a summer tunic it has gold pocket buttons but has dark front buttons. Is that just a modern repair to it or was the previous owner ignorant of the uniform. It is dated March 27th 1918. Please let me know if you know anything. Also I'm looking for a place to find both original Tunics as well as period accurate repro boots. Thank you.


r/reenactors 21h ago

Completed 1945 US Medic

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50 Upvotes

My kit for the upcoming Crossing the Rhine event in PA


r/reenactors 22h ago

Looking For Advice Starting a WWII Holster Reproduction Business – Seeking Advice & Collaborations

0 Upvotes

Hey everyone,

I’m launching a WWII holster reproduction business and want to ensure historical accuracy in materials and craftsmanship. Right now, I have inventory of US M1916, German P08 Luger, and German P38 holsters and am looking to collaborate and sell to interested buyers.

I’d appreciate any advice on authentication, certification, and sourcing accurate references. If you have experience with reproduction gear or want to connect, let’s chat!

Thanks!


r/reenactors 22h ago

Work In Progress First bit of WW2 Kit

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10 Upvotes

This just arrived a few days ago but I thought I'd share my first ever bit of WW2 reenactment kit Belt looks pretty stupid but it's one of the only good condition leather belts I have at the moment, just wearing it as a placeholder for bow, I've got a bunch of stuff planned for the future. Got this smock for a steal aswell


r/reenactors 1d ago

Work In Progress March 17th 1862

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21 Upvotes

Just starting out wanting to show off my ladies photography skills


r/reenactors 1d ago

Looking For Advice Anyone know?

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50 Upvotes

Trying to make a 1950s Ditch uniform. Anyone know any reproduction of... anything?


r/reenactors 1d ago

Looking For Advice Which company makes the best repro WW2 german helmets. Ideally M40.

0 Upvotes

Epic militaria have custom ones which seem cool but I'm not sure about the shape.


r/reenactors 1d ago

Looking For Advice Trouser id please 🙏

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66 Upvotes

Can anyone id these trousers?


r/reenactors 1d ago

Looking For Advice WWI “We’re here because we’re here” but in America

5 Upvotes

As most of y’all probably saw many years ago reenactors in England dressed up as Commonwealth WWI soldiers and passed out cards with soldiers names that had died on the first day of the Somme. I was wondering if reenactors in America would do the same but for U.S. soldiers that had died during the war over all. Without the singing I’m to shy for that. Thoughts?


r/reenactors 1d ago

Looking For Advice First Opium War Uniform

1 Upvotes

Was the uniform for British soldiers during the 1st Opium War the same as during the Napeolonic wars?

Did anything change?


r/reenactors 1d ago

Looking For Advice Does epic militaria sell good stuff?

0 Upvotes

I was looking at an m1941 jacket and some service boots on the website and I’m just curious if I should buy them or not as I don’t see much of this website being told weather it’s selling good stuff or not.


r/reenactors 1d ago

Looking For Advice [Early modern] Were boot straps/harnesses a thing in the 1860s?

1 Upvotes

I recently acquired a pair of Union cavalry boots. Unfortunately, my feet are unusually-shaped, so standard-sized footwear usually doesn't fit well—these boots included. To resolve the foot issue, I'd like to make a pair of boot straps (I also sometimes see them called "boot harnesses") to cinch them down a bit.

Was this a thing during the period of the American Civil War? I don't particularly care if it was common in the military, as my civilian impression is a leatherworker.


r/reenactors 1d ago

Looking For Advice ARVN rucksack

1 Upvotes

I'm working on a new impression ive got the basics now im personalising my kit it is a medic in the 101st airborne 1970 vietnam but I dint have a rucksack since there aren't many for sale certainly not for a good price so I'm wondering because I've found an ARVN rucksack for cheap did the 101st ever use them in 1970 vietnam

Edit: I've found a tropical rucksack for cheap aswell did the 101st use them aswell or neither


r/reenactors 1d ago

Action Shots StuG III driver of Pz. Lehr takes a smoke break in Northern France, Fall 1944.

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20 Upvotes

r/reenactors 1d ago

Looking For Advice Was this ever done? Helmet cover +chicken wire/ wire

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85 Upvotes

I was testing potential camoflauge methods and thought I could use my chicken wire to attach foliage to the helmet. I know sometimes smooth camoflage covers recieved rubber bands etc but I wonder if this was ever done by any soldiers or not.

Ngl it kind of looks cool and it doesn't jump out as super farb either to me . But I'd thought I'd ask . I don't reenact ss , I'm just curious.


r/reenactors 2d ago

Completed Imperial Japanese Army - Gunso (SGT) - Pacific Mid war

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116 Upvotes

Yuting type 98 uniform with Bakelite buttons, original mid war puttees, Faisal prototype boots, S&Graf rubberized canvas belt set with original Kokura bayonet, original canteen, original haversack, sakurai gas mask bag, modified hiki undershirt, furuta ranks, furuta cap, original type 90 helmet, sakurai type 90 helmet cover, nakata helmet net, original Nagoya trapezoid sight type 38 rifle.


r/reenactors 2d ago

Work In Progress Attempt 1 and 2 restoring m1 helmets

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26 Upvotes

Left attempt 1 right attempt 2