Over the last year a friend and I have been restoring some M1 helmet, refinishing others and some we just plain leave alone. We keep some, sell some, but have a lot of fun messing with them; tracking them down and then making a determination on the era is just as fun. We get interest from Vets, Collectors, Reenactors and even Airsoft players(apparently WWII Airsoft is taking off around here).
Anyway here is some of the process:
We usually start with a late production helmet
Then it will either get media blasted or chemically treated depending on the finish
Next step is Corking or Sanding(depending on helmet era) with primer
Final step would be that OD everyone knows and loves!
Anyway here is some of the process:
We usually start with a late production helmet

Then it will either get media blasted or chemically treated depending on the finish

Next step is Corking or Sanding(depending on helmet era) with primer

Final step would be that OD everyone knows and loves!