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Guys, Got this today from a workmate clearing out his aunts house. With a mint Parka too but I will post that in the clothing thread. The helmet is unworn and a hidious factory finished textured green colour. The stampings including white NATO number stamp is very visible. Rich

Fantastic, great to see you here. It was a great forum back in the day, before social media and the limited attention span of the youngsters. We lost all our posts about 10 years ago, so had to rebuiuld it from scratch, but it's generally pretty solid now. I just wish more people would use it...

Guys, starting to take back a bit of time for myself, as is the wife. We aren't getting any younger and a lot of people we knew have popped their clogs. I am starting to get out a bit more again and work a bit less. I am 57, so, for you guys out there are in your 30's or there abouts, I want to warn you how quickly time goes by and to make sure you realize you are living now, and not putting things on the back burner to do later. There may not be a later, so make sure you enjoy every minute now, take the chances push the boat out, don't always play it safe. We all get focused on work and money and often neglect what actually matters. All I am trying to say is life is not a rehersal, make sure you use it all up! Rich

Great pics and docs... sad that he was KIA though...

Happy 56th, Rich — not bad for a cheeky Scotch! 😄 Here’s hoping this year brings more collecting, less chaos, and a bit more sanity all around. Cheers to better days ahead!

Hi @cageybee91, the diamond "O" stitching on back side is used on reproductions. The "O" should be round on the variation type cuff title. @DAK Dwas my mentor on all things DAK and is a good friend. He taught me what to look for. Hope this helps!

I am new here so go easy on me. 🙂 DAK D, excellent post and references! I am a bit confused with the last two original examples and the reproduction. At face value, I can see what you are saying, but I have an example I got back in the early 1970's (see photos} that have some differences from the repo. I hope you can fill me in on the attached photos: 1. The Reproduction's silver rapped thread making the words AFRIKAKORPS are clipped off at the letters A and S (on the reverse). Your posted original photos and the below example does not. 2. Also on the reverse, the thread jump between the letters R and O is at the bottom of the R, all the examples you have posted with this version of the cuff title jump from the top of the R. 3. The last photo show the cuff title is made with left hand thread. Left hand thread was very common in war time Germany (right hand thread was scarce). For the last 50 years, left hand thread seems to be very rare. 4. My photos appear to show a diamond back letter O. I am aware that all of the different reproductions being made are making it a nightmare at times for authentication and my attached photos are likely of a reproduction. Hopefully you can see my confusion. Thank you for entertaining my observations.

Hi, to me it looks ok, at the end of the war things were plundered at various statges of the production? It could have been removed from a factory that mass produced for other companies to sell on further, those companies could add their end user liecence number would be my guess. I am not an expert, you could try GMIC, WRF and WAF for more informed opinions. I expect it doesn't glow up under UV? That said they are getting more and more clever with copies? Even so, it would make sense for them to fill in a distributers number if you are going to the trouble of faking lables? I think an original, nicked off a production line by a GI looking for a souvenir before it got to the end distributor. Best Rich

It's God's own country doncha know.