The Nazi Helmet - How They Were Made and a Great Specimen of an Original

Amsdorf · May 21, 2012, 06:45 PM

Hey guys, thought I'd show my Wehrmacht helmet, a M42 model, and I found a great old German newsreel to go along with it, showing how they made them. Also added some explanatory detail:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOpgKZZ6SUU

Stukaman · May 21, 2012, 11:08 PM

Excellent video

hoytinak · May 21, 2012, 11:13 PM

Pretty cool, watching them being pressed and shaped on the assembly line like that....thanks for sharing.

Water-Man · May 21, 2012, 11:41 PM

Very interesting. Thanks.

W-M

raftman · May 22, 2012, 01:22 AM

I guess I don't know the language well enough to get 100% of the narration; did the German newsreel really suggest the helmet could withstand a hit with an 8mm Mauser round fired from across the room?

Navy joe · May 22, 2012, 01:53 AM

Ams, so far you have been a history gold mine, keep up the good work. Never once have I got the impression that you had a framed picture of uncle adolph in the living room.

Single Six · May 22, 2012, 06:29 AM

Sure, Hitler was the most thoroughly twisted, evil human being to ever live, and I personally believe that he has his own room in the deepest bowels of Hell [and rightly so]. That said, his artifacts are an important part of world history, if only to serve as a reminder of the depths that men are capable of sinking to, and also of what can happen when his kind are appeased, rather than decisively dealt with.

zincwarrior · May 22, 2012, 06:55 AM

I like watching things being made.
1. Lots of not automation there. Interesting.
2. That factory pic screams slave labor.

Once again glad the GG's won the epic John Deere vs. LowenBrau World Domination Bowl.

Willie Sutton · May 22, 2012, 08:18 AM

Great find for the video. Huge industrial capacity was nothing new to these guys.

The rifle test was obviously done with a reduced charge cartridge to ensure that the helmets met specification for splinter resistance. They are definatrly not proofed against a ball ammunition cartridge at that distance.

"Coarse" might replace "Course" in your paint texture description...

Great stuff,

Willie

.

Te Anau · May 22, 2012, 11:27 AM

I've always wanted a genuine WWII German helmet but they are either too expensive or I'm afraid they're fake.

Pilot · May 22, 2012, 12:06 PM

Interesting. Thanks.

Lots of hand operation, and hand finishing, but the vid does say the process became more automated. Also noticed there were no respiration devices used in the paint booth.

Amsdorf · May 22, 2012, 02:54 PM

Industrial safety precautions have come a long way, needless to say. Plus, those workers may have been slave workers.

raftman · May 23, 2012, 12:25 PM

Quote:

The rifle test was obviously done with a reduced charge cartridge to ensure that the helmets met specification for splinter resistance. They are definatrly not proofed against a ball ammunition cartridge at that distance.

It probably would have to have been reduced to below .32acp levels for that to work.

Amsdorf · May 23, 2012, 12:27 PM

Yes, that test was crazy.

The .30 Carbine and .30 Cal round sliced through the German helmet like a hot knife through butter.

Proof:

http://youtu.be/EuSOecA864o

RamItOne · May 23, 2012, 01:05 PM

Raftman, the helmet was not anchored down like it would be on someones head. Had there been some restraint allowing it to receive more of the bullets kinetic energy im sure the bullet would have traveled through with ease.

Amsdorf · May 23, 2012, 05:31 PM

That "rifle test" was pure Nazi BS.

Savage99 · May 23, 2012, 09:12 PM

May 21, 2012, 06:45 PM	#1
Amsdorf Junior member Join Date: July 24, 2011 Location: Saint Louis, Missouri Posts: 849	The Nazi Helmet - How They Were Made and a Great Specimen of an Original Hey guys, thought I'd show my Wehrmacht helmet, a M42 model, and I found a great old German newsreel to go along with it, showing how they made them. Also added some explanatory detail: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOpgKZZ6SUU

May 22, 2012, 01:22 AM	#5
raftman Senior Member Join Date: May 4, 2009 Location: Oregon Posts: 1,890	I guess I don't know the language well enough to get 100% of the narration; did the German newsreel really suggest the helmet could withstand a hit with an 8mm Mauser round fired from across the room? __________________ "My momma, she done told me, there's heart and then there's hate If one of 'em's inside of you, the other one, it aint."

May 22, 2012, 01:53 AM	#6
Navy joe Senior Member Join Date: January 28, 2001 Location: VA, USA Posts: 1,804	Ams, so far you have been a history gold mine, keep up the good work. Never once have I got the impression that you had a framed picture of uncle adolph in the living room. __________________ FY47012

May 22, 2012, 06:29 AM	#7
Single Six Senior Member Join Date: January 31, 2010 Location: N.C. Posts: 1,522	Sure, Hitler was the most thoroughly twisted, evil human being to ever live, and I personally believe that he has his own room in the deepest bowels of Hell [and rightly so]. That said, his artifacts are an important part of world history, if only to serve as a reminder of the depths that men are capable of sinking to, and also of what can happen when his kind are appeased, rather than decisively dealt with. __________________ Seen on a bumper sticker: "Exercise. Eat right. Take vitamins. Die anyway." Last edited by Brian Pfleuger; May 22, 2012 at 03:19 PM. Reason: Removed reference to deleted post

May 22, 2012, 11:27 AM	#10
Te Anau Senior Member Join Date: June 17, 2004 Location: Somewhere south of the No Posts: 3,824	I've always wanted a genuine WWII German helmet but they are either too expensive or I'm afraid they're fake. __________________ "Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it." --American author Mark Twain (1835-1910)

May 21, 2012, 11:08 PM	#2
Stukaman Senior Member Join Date: October 17, 2010 Posts: 101	Excellent video

May 21, 2012, 11:13 PM	#3
hoytinak Senior Member Join Date: July 5, 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 5,721	Pretty cool, watching them being pressed and shaped on the assembly line like that....thanks for sharing.

May 21, 2012, 11:41 PM	#4
Water-Man Senior Member Join Date: March 23, 2008 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 2,126	Very interesting. Thanks. W-M

May 22, 2012, 06:55 AM	#8
zincwarrior Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2011 Location: Texas, land of Tex-Mex Posts: 2,259	I like watching things being made. 1. Lots of not automation there. Interesting. 2. That factory pic screams slave labor. Once again glad the GG's won the epic John Deere vs. LowenBrau World Domination Bowl.

May 22, 2012, 08:18 AM	#9
Willie Sutton Junior member Join Date: January 26, 2012 Posts: 1,066	Great find for the video. Huge industrial capacity was nothing new to these guys. The rifle test was obviously done with a reduced charge cartridge to ensure that the helmets met specification for splinter resistance. They are definatrly not proofed against a ball ammunition cartridge at that distance. "Coarse" might replace "Course" in your paint texture description... Great stuff, Willie .

May 22, 2012, 12:06 PM	#11
Pilot Senior Member Join Date: December 21, 2000 Posts: 4,193	Interesting. Thanks. Lots of hand operation, and hand finishing, but the vid does say the process became more automated. Also noticed there were no respiration devices used in the paint booth. __________________ Pilot

May 22, 2012, 02:54 PM	#12
Amsdorf Junior member Join Date: July 24, 2011 Location: Saint Louis, Missouri Posts: 849	Industrial safety precautions have come a long way, needless to say. Plus, those workers may have been slave workers.

May 23, 2012, 12:27 PM	#14
Amsdorf Junior member Join Date: July 24, 2011 Location: Saint Louis, Missouri Posts: 849	Yes, that test was crazy. The .30 Carbine and .30 Cal round sliced through the German helmet like a hot knife through butter. Proof: http://youtu.be/EuSOecA864o

May 23, 2012, 01:05 PM	#15
RamItOne Senior Member Join Date: May 24, 2011 Posts: 990	Kinetic energy Raftman, the helmet was not anchored down like it would be on someones head. Had there been some restraint allowing it to receive more of the bullets kinetic energy im sure the bullet would have traveled through with ease.

May 23, 2012, 05:31 PM	#16
Amsdorf Junior member Join Date: July 24, 2011 Location: Saint Louis, Missouri Posts: 849	That "rifle test" was pure Nazi BS.

May 23, 2012, 09:12 PM	#17
Savage99 Senior Member Join Date: May 17, 2004 Posts: 567

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