Why Would They Ruin This M42 Helmet? The Strange Story Of An M42 SS Decal

For more visit: https://militaryantiquestoronto.com

00:00 Military Antiques Toronto rare WW2 militaria haul introduction, retail store walk-ins, helmets uniforms badges artifacts
00:48 Eastern Front M42 helmet with fake SS decal, electrician’s helmet markings, German WW2 helmet collecting controversy
02:10 Canadian 1941 GSW steel helmet, missing chinstrap liner details, rare Canadian helmet collecting value
03:05 US Army Mackinaw coat olive drab 1945 dated, WW2 jacket small size, wartime vs postwar clothing history
04:32 Canadian black beret 1946 dated with Lord Strathcona’s Horse cap badge, WW2 era beret insignia collecting
05:46 Canadian officer’s service dress uniform 1944 dated, named tunic trousers hat Wallace Shuld Windsor Ontario, bronze officer cap badge Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps
08:02 Nurnberg pattern eagle broken repaired, German WW2 eagle insignia militaria artifact
08:50 Bronze Hitler bust, signed artist marked, rare German WW2 bust sculpture collecting
09:32 WW1 Canadian Engineers grouping, dog tag Sapper Holmwood Methodist, patches insignia corporal stripes badges
11:00 WW1 Canadian battalion cap badges collars shoulder titles, 59th 25th 29th 24th 34th 53rd 77th 80th 74th 1st Battalion units, rare insignia lugs intact
12:14 WW2 Denison smock 1942 dated airborne troops uniform, Broad Arrow stamp Warings size 3, third division patches anomaly, lightning zipper, unusual missing snaps mystery
13:40 Closing thoughts, Military Antiques Toronto social media website, WW2 militaria collecting community

The video begins with a German Eastern Front M42 helmet, sometimes called an electrician’s helmet because of the added fake SS decal. Fake decals create controversy in collecting, but the helmet itself remains an authentic piece of WW2 history. Many collectors want SS helmets, but the truth of markings and authenticity is always more important. Helmet collecting often revolves around questions of unit markings, decals, lot numbers, and condition, and this M42 demonstrates why authenticity matters so much in militaria.

Next is a Canadian 1941 GSW steel helmet, manufactured by General Steel Works. This Canadian combat helmet is missing part of the chinstrap but still has its liner and proper screw. These helmets are harder to find as collectors snap them up, especially because they remain affordable entry-level militaria pieces. Collectors of Canadian WW2 helmets will appreciate seeing the details on this 1941 model, and how condition affects value and desirability.

The video then features a US Army Mackinaw coat in olive drab, dated February 1945. Though technically wartime, some collectors debate whether late-dated items are considered postwar. The Mackinaw coat is in excellent condition with wool intact, making it a strong addition for uniform collectors. Military jackets such as this olive drab Mackinaw reveal the evolution of US Army clothing in WW2, and their surviving condition shows the durability of wartime materials.

The officer’s service dress uniform is another highlight. Dated 1944, it includes trousers, a tunic, and a beautiful doe-skin officer’s hat by Meyer Cap and Regalia. The cap is named to Wallace, while the tunic is named to Lieutenant Shuld of Windsor, Ontario. This uniform also features a bronze officer’s cap badge for the Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps. Named uniforms create personal connections to Canadian officers, preserving their legacy for historians and collectors alike.

A Nurnberg pattern eagle is also showcased, though unfortunately broken and repaired. German eagles are iconic symbols of WW2 militaria, and even damaged examples attract interest. Following that is a bronze bust of Adolf Hitler, signed on the back by a known sculptor of the era. Collectors of German WW2 artifacts often seek out original busts and statues, making this piece particularly intriguing despite its small size.

Numerous WW1 Canadian battalion badges are also shown, including examples from the 59th, 25th, 29th, 24th, 34th, 53rd, 77th, 80th, 74th, and 1st Battalions. Each badge tells a story of recruitment, service, and regimental pride. Collectors of Canadian badges know the importance of intact lugs, maker’s marks, and condition, all of which are highlighted here.

Finally, the video presents a rare WW2 Denison smock, dated 1942 and made by Warings. This airborne troops uniform includes a Broad Arrow War Department stamp, a lightning zipper, and size three markings. The most unusual feature is the presence of Canadian 3rd Division patches, which should not appear on an airborne garment. This anomaly raises questions about the smock’s history, the soldier who wore it, and the mystery of why division patches were applied. Collectors of WW2 airborne uniforms will find this anomaly fascinating, as Denison smocks are among the most collectible uniforms of the war.