Hi all
Firstly thanks for all the replies. I think the resounding opinion is that the rimless should not be repainted. I`m very interested in what trenchtrotter says about the splotch cammo paint. When I first looked at the finish, I spotted the orange patches (there are actually 3 or possibly 4 still visible) but I thought it was either rust staining or the remnants of faces that a child may have painted years ago! After looking more closely, there is plainly a diff colour paint there. Does anybody have or can any one point me towards any pictures of one of these helmets? I would like to display one next to the brodie to show what it likely looked like in its hey day.
On further inspection and a little wire wool cleaning, the LS seems to be more likely BS. I gave up trying to photograph it as it just vanishes in the glare. Full daylight is needed I think. I did do a brass rubbing which has come out well and I will post a pic of this later tonight (after my bath and a few glasses of wine to unwind
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My plans for the rimless have now changed somewhat. I won`t be repainting it, but I do however feel, as Sean does, that any liner is better than no liner. I can`t actually see what harm fitting a liner will do. I can always reverse the process easily and without damage to the helmet. Currently there are no bales, no liner and no trace of any paint on the inside. The remains of the bale rivets are already loose, so the only original part of the helmet that will be damaged is the copper rivet. This is already in a very poor state. I just feel that it will display better with a liner and chinstrap. Of course an original liner would be the best route, but I can`t honestly remember ever seeing one for sale any where.
I will try and get the pics of the interior up later tonight (and the brass rubbing of the marks). I believe the bales for the early Brodies were slightly smaller than the later ones?
Sean I will try and pm you later regarding the bales and the rivet. Also I believe you fitted an early pattern repro liner to your rimless. You mentioned that it wasn`t advertised on the site, but was available on request. Its probably me, but I don`t see a contact number or email address on the site. How did you contact them?
As far as the HS 28 paint job goes, I am pleased you all like it, though I`m still not convinced I got the dusting right. It does look much better than the pictures and is very convincing. I`m sorry to rake it up once again Dave, but following your logic, the HS 28 should be earlier than the 34. To me, this makes perfect sense and is highly plausible. Now I have a few more Brodies in my collection, I have had the opportunity to study them a little more. I can see now what people mean when they talk about the shape and the pressing marks etc being different between early and late helmets. The US versions I have (one British made but with a high batch no. one US made) are both much more regularly shaped. However the HS 28 and the BS? 34 are both much more `irregular` They have creases from the pressing, rims and sides tend to vary in width etc. I am fairly convinced, that the HS 28 is actually an early helmet like the rimless 34. Sadly as it had apparently been blast cleaned and primed by the previous owner, it lacked any original paint, but the shape, the pressing creases and the width of the peek and sides etc suggest to me that it is an early helmet. Also when I look at the rim, there is a very large overlap (actually 2 inches!) and it is very roughly spot welded. Is this normal? The rim isn`t a great fit, there are large gaps between the rim and the helmet, almost like a field modification. The rim is steel by the way and not aluminium. Is it likely that this is an early helmet modified to meet later standards? If only the paint or even some of it had still been present. I will try to get some pics of this aswell.
Once again, thanks for the replies and again Dave..sorry to drag up this old topic!
Best
Andy
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