The Paint Job Is Awful… But That’s What Makes It Valuable! Norwegian M42 Helmet

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0:00 – Rare WWII German M42 Helmet Norwegian Issued Double Decal Explained
0:40 – WWII German Helmet Collecting, Chin Straps, Brown Leather Liner Details
1:10 – German Fire Helmet Luftschutz Eagle Missing Comb, Named Example Size 57
1:50 – World War I German 51st Infantry Shoulder Board Chain Stitch Embroidery
2:20 – Luftwaffe Flight Fallschirmjäger Shoulder Board Yellow Piping Gray Wool
2:50 – Kriegsmarine Rank Stripe Naval Insignia WWII German Navy Collectibles
3:20 – SA Badge 1936 Copper Maker Mark Bremen Pin Nord Gruppen Collectors Piece
3:55 – WWII German Paper Commemorative Items, Rare Christmas Ornaments Story
4:30 – Militaria Collecting German Helmets, Badges, Shoulder Boards, Rank Stripes
5:05 – Military Antiques Toronto Website, eBay Listings, Collectors Community

The highlight begins with a WWII German M42 helmet, Norwegian issued and double decal, painted quickly after the war and reused by the Norwegian Army. The helmet has brown leather chin straps, a replaced liner, and faded lot numbers that today’s collectors wish were visible. Even without perfect markings, this M42 German helmet sold instantly before photos could be taken, proving that authentic WWII helmets remain highly desirable. The story emphasizes how unpredictable militaria collecting can be—one moment the shop is quiet, the next a rare piece of history arrives and vanishes into a collection. 🪖

Next, Dave examines a German fire helmet, often referred to as a Luftschutz fire helmet. This example still retains its eagle but is missing the comb, showing the holes where it once attached. The helmet is partially named, with the first letter “S” visible, and includes size 57 markings inside. The black paint, the chin strap, and the neck protector all highlight its WWII era construction. German fire helmets remain a fascinating sub-collection within militaria, and even though not extremely rare, they offer insight into the civilian and paramilitary equipment used during wartime Germany.

The video continues with a World War I German 51st Infantry shoulder board. Over 100 years old, this piece displays beautiful chain-stitched embroidery, a testament to the craftsmanship of the period. While not perfect, its age makes it a gem for collectors of WWI German insignia. This artifact shows how military uniforms and accessories carried unit identity and pride, and why shoulder boards are essential to militaria collections.

Following that is a Luftwaffe shoulder board, with yellow piping clearly indicating flight and Fallschirmjäger troops. The gray wool material and yellow thread, dulled with age and dirt, demonstrate the authenticity of this single shoulder board. Collectors of Luftwaffe militaria know the importance of these color codes in identifying branches of service, making this find a valuable addition.

The naval theme appears with a Kriegsmarine rank stripe, most likely for a junior rank such as Gefreiter. Kriegsmarine insignia holds its own unique appeal within WWII German collectibles, as naval ranks and uniforms carried distinctive traditions separate from the army and air force. Collectors searching for naval militaria will immediately recognize the significance of this stripe. ⚓️

Another standout is a 1936 SA badge. Made of copper and nicely toned with age, this badge bears clear maker marks from Bremen and belongs to Gruppen Nord C. The pin is intact, making it an attractive collectible for German badge enthusiasts. SA badges, with their regional identifiers, help historians and collectors trace the political and paramilitary organizations of pre-war Germany. This badge embodies the intersection of political history and collectible militaria.

Dave also shares printed commemorative items from WWII Germany. These paper decorations could be hung like Christmas ornaments, though their use is debated. Some modern collectors even craft swastika Christmas balls for displays, showing how far interpretations of history can go. While not rare, these unusual items highlight the diverse range of WWII memorabilia that surfaces in the militaria market. 🎄

What makes this video truly engaging is the unpredictability of what enters the doors of Military Antiques Toronto. From helmets to shoulder boards, from badges to paper artifacts, each piece adds to the fabric of history. Collectors, historians, and enthusiasts all gain insight into the value, rarity, and stories behind these militaria pieces.

Dave concludes with a reminder that most of these items will appear on the Military Antiques Toronto website and sometimes on eBay, but buying directly from the website saves collectors money. With so many unique militaria collectibles passing through, the shop has become a trusted destination for original WWII German items, WWI relics, and rare historical military antiques.

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