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Turtle Helmet.


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Hi guys, I told you this helmet collecting is getting a tad addictive..but as funds are limited,  i'm stuck to the more "mundane" examples so far...the wife says if I sell my guns, I can buy lots more helmets....This has probs been done to death, but, as this is only my second British helmet.,literally just bought off the bay, its a dated 1953, with liner and chin strap.... I'm quite chuffed with it, particularly as I grew up seeing this model helmet on the TV almost every day in different theatres......got one question tho, should I try and get rid of the surface rust, or leave as is once it gets here...?? 

 

Pics below.

 

turtle1.jpg

turtle2.jpg

turtle3.jpg

turtle4.jpg

turtle5.jpg

turtle6.JPG

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Guest Fred Karno's Army

In my opinion i suppose it is how hard core a collector are you O.o,and are you damaging or detracting the item away from what it was originally. @Mark K is the man mate,but I think it's best in some circumstances to leave as found,of course preventative measures against time etc,but generally I like to leave an item as I found it condition wise,it has a story to tell ;).

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Definately leave it alone, by removing any light rust you will also be removing the textured finish and the original paint, and you will never be able to reproduce the effect again, do not add oil as this softens paint over time, even WD40 would have an adverse effect. For some reason our paint schemes on old helmets seems to be thinner and easier to remove than others, at least thats what I,ve found over the years

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Great stuff chaps....thankyou, I did think about WD40, but will leave well alone now..... I was worried about "detracting" from the helmet....I'm just a wee bit worried about the rust getting worse, would it be ok to give it a rub with some polish or some such other stuff... ?? Just hoping to stop the rot so to speak...mind you, they way SHE heats this house, their will never be any damp to assist the rust...:) 

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  • Major General

I'd be inclined to leave it alone.dunno if wax polish would taint the paintwork, maybe a wipe with a damp,cloth followed by a dry one would suffice.

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 I would agree with the gents above and IMO current condition does not warrant restoration and or tampering with the original finish on the helmet I would be inclined as well to wipe it out with a damp cloth and leave well enough alone .I believe if it is kept in a humidity free dry environment that the current condition will change very little in your life time.I may be tempted to adorn it with either a late war knotted and or post war net such as shown on one of my examples below which will do wonders for changing the appearance and making it a little more pleasing to the eye ...

Regards Mark 

Picture 2897.jpg

Edited by Mark K
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@Davejb should he use RenWax? From your comment I've realised why my WW1 RF Engineers helmet has lost paint, before I knew about RenWax I applied oil

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Thanks again guys, I did think about a net , you just made my mind up for me..:)

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Renaisance wax would protect the shell from further outside deterioration, dirt, damp, humidity etc, its used by many museums on exhibits of value or just to maintain the look of displays, plus a great deal of collectors use it .

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  • Field Marshall

As mentioned, if stored in correct temp/humidity it'll be fine.

Also, another thumbs up for Renaissance Wax. ;)

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  • Major General

I ordered mine before I set off this morning...

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Another question for you guys...helmet has arrived, and I'd like to remove the liner to give it and the helmet a wee spruce up...., but , how do you take it out, I know you "lift" the green chrome thing in the middle, but no idea how to do it....help!!!! :) 

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Guest Fred Karno's Army

Just give it a gentle but firm tug upwards mate,my need some oil or such on stud,it should just then pop straight out Norrie. ;)

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7 minutes ago, Ham & Jam said:

Just give it a gentle but firm tug upwards mate,my need some oil or such on stud,it should just then pop straight out Norrie. ;)

Wooohooo, What a clever chap you are, was a tad tight,, but a wee bit 3 in one, and off it popped...:)

 

Thanks Paul..:)

BTW, delivered by Hermes this afternoon...sorry...:)

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Guest Fred Karno's Army

They are renown for not coming out without a fight,but then again who wants a helmet that the liner falls out from !.

:soldier-with-gun:

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I have one similar kicking around in the basement of the house. IIRC it is repainted black. I bought it sight unseen for $5.00. It is a low rivet placement so post war example. Sooner or later, I will the trigger on a Wartime example. I hear most Canadian Collectors refer to these as 3rd Div helmets, owing to the fact many of the 3rd Canadian Infantry Divisional personnel were issued these for D-Day. 

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That turtle is the second in my "collection" of helmets...I don't really collect them, BUT, if I see one at a decent price, and it interests me, I'll have it...:) I have a Canadian 1943 ( I think) Brodie at my daughters in LA, shes bringing it home to me later this year, I bought it from a lovely lady in the US for not a lot of money....tho, it seems it's unissued... ..liner is good, and I have a new old stock chin strap for it here.....I can see me "specialising" in WW2 helmets tho...if I win the Lottery....:)

I'm having great fun watching for them on the bay, and other places.. and talking about them on here ..I now understand how folks get hooked on it....:)

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  • Major General

Believe me Norrie, once you've got a couple, they'll multiply viciously until you can't move!

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@Norrie turn back now before its to late once you catch the bug there is no cure known to science the best we will be able to offer up in the form of help will be support from like minded fellows there are some very good groups were you can get therapy I believe they call them forums...lol...

Regards Mark 

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LOL, I know exact;y what you both mean now, home from work about an hour ago,,dinner,  a wee fondle of the hat i have, and straight onto the t'internet looking for more hats....:)

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20 hours ago, Mark K said:

@Norrie turn back now before its to late once you catch the bug there is no cure known to science the best we will be able to offer up in the form of help will be support from like minded fellows there are some very good groups were you can get therapy I believe they call them forums...lol...

Regards Mark 

@Mark K,....arghhh....just made my first cockup.....on the old turtle helmet ( my pride and joy for now) I cleaned the brass chinstrap fittings, thinking, geez, these are black!!!! only to find out, they were blacked out to begin with...and i should'nt have touched them at all......:(

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  • Field Marshall
13 hours ago, Norrie said:

@Mark K,....arghhh....just made my first cockup.....on the old turtle helmet ( my pride and joy for now) I cleaned the brass chinstrap fittings, thinking, geez, these are black!!!! only to find out, they were blacked out to begin with...and i should'nt have touched them at all......:(

Such is life, better to do it with a post war lid than a war time one... ;) Generally it's best to leave helmets alone, light dab with a damp cloth at most.

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Guest Fred Karno's Army
Just now, Lenny said:

Such is life, better to do it with a post war lid than a war time one... ;) Generally it's best to leave helmets alone, light dab with a damp cloth at most.

Now I could say something here but I won't,for fear of setting Manu off ;):D

image.jpeg

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  • Field Marshall

hahahahahahaha.... some people... :D

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