M40 helmet help needed

[firestreak]

Hi all,
I`d appreciate some helpful ideas on how to repair my recently purchased helmet. The sides have somehow been pressed in at some stage in its life and have `pushed` the peek forwards. I have tried to force the sides apart with a screw thread seperator but it keeps springing back even when I went 2" over what it should be. Please help - desperate.

[Mark in Cleveland, Tn.]

post a pic of the helmet, so we can see what you are up against, seems odd that the steel would spring back,might be a Made in China lid.

I just talked to a metal worker, she says weird also, old steel like helmeys made out of (german) would not spring back, must be a new alloy.

[Ian Hulley]

Original German helmets ... M40's possibly being the most common ... are so plentiful I would take this one back and buy a better example.

Ian

[John G.]

It's probably a "Bulgarian" helmet.... German style rim line/appearance but has a "pressed" comb like bulge on top...making it look "squished"....but is the way they were made.... modern surplus junk if that's what it is.... often presented as "German" style...
Just my 10 cents worth... a photo would answer all questions.
John G.

[firestreak]

It's probably a "Bulgarian" helmet.... German style rim line/appearance but has a "pressed" comb like bulge on top...making it look "squished"....but is the way they were made.... modern surplus junk if that's what it is.... often presented as "German" style...
Just my 10 cents worth... a photo would answer all questions.
John G.

Hi John, the helmet is actally a BGS M53-40 it is same as wartime lid only extra liner holes . Its an LS66 (LS -Linnemann & Schnetzer) i think the problem lies with the steel . Its mangalloy (manganese steel ) and this makes it `springy` tbh.

[firestreak]

Here is the front view. it goes `in` where the arrows are.

[firestreak]

Heres the side view with th `beak` pushed forwards

[Mark in Cleveland, Tn.]

Nice try!!!!!!!!!!! :roll: :roll:

[John G.]

Why bother....? It's worthless "as is" as a collectors item or for re-enactment purposes..... save your efforts for something worth salvaging......just my opinion, but this one is not worth the effort....
John G.

[Mark in Cleveland, Tn.]

Yes, JohnG is correct, and JohnG, doe'nt this lid look like a modern made China fake, vent hole, extra liner holes, etc Overall shape looks like one of them,

LIke I posted, Nice try to convince us!