M37 Army Camo Helmet ??
 

Here is one of the latest attempts to make fake M37's convincing. The story is that this was taken off a grave marker in Norway.

I have three basic problems with it.

1. To me it has a very deliberate "aged" look to it. Not natural at all. It has the "lets put it in the ground for a few months to age it" look to me.

2. As far as I know, there is no evidence at all of the M36 or M37 being worn in combat in their original state. The M38 with its much improved liner and chin strap system was introduced in June of 1938, and by April 1940 ( Norway ) all M36/M37's were either refitted with a M38 liner/chinstrap ( and re-issued ) or shelved. All period photographic evidence that I have seen clearly shows this.

3. As far as I know only 2 former members of the FIK participated in actual fighting in Norway ( Remember that II./FJR 1 only went into Oslo after the fact ), Ernst Moessinger with 1./FJR1
( Dombas ) and Olt. Frhr. von Brandis commander of 3./FJR1 ( Flugplatz Sola ). Both of them survived the Norway operations.
( there were a few jump trained personnel from GJR 136/137/138 killed in the Akenes area in late May, but they would not have been wearing army helmets )

I would personally not feel comfortable with one of these helmets that shows signs of being worn in combat, unless it was a true conversion, like this original M36 below.

Would like to hear all of your thoughts on this as well. Especially the helmet guys like John H, Willi , John B, Perry, and Chris.

A stupid question from someone who knows less about FJ helmets than he does about why women are like they are...

Were Cammo paint schemes on FJ helmets that early in the war ?
Whenever I see photos of Paras in Norway they have one coloured helmets....

Maybe I am wrong..

Eric

That is a great helmet, Bill let me check it out last year.

I am glad someone like you got it.

Matt

Chris,

I agree. Of the photos I have seen from Norway, I do not recal even one camo helmet ever being worn.

Thanks Matt, I appreciate it. As a helmet collector, what is your opinion of this M37 ?

Thanks,

Eric

Hi Eric,

Agree with all stated above. Wouldn't touch the camo helmet, and never saw any photos of camos in Norway.

As to the other helmet, Matt is correct, glad it found it's proper home. What a killer piece; just love looking at the photo of it.:)

Best,
John

Like all have said, glad that Eric ended up with this helmet. I pondered buying it many times, and was glad to have had it in my home for several months while I was studying it.

On the camo I agree with all.......

Another point to remember is that, with the exception of the Eben Emael boys, no one camoed their helmets in the early years.......they were not allowed to, especially during the early quick campaigns in 1940. If they returned to garrison with camo paint on their helmet they were in trouble.

Willi