World War II German Helmets - Get the Best Originals Here

2nd Pattern 'Champagne' Runic SS Decal on an M1942 CKL

Issue #1 February 2009

Later War Champagne SS Runic Decals on CKL M42s  -  Exciting new evidence is mounting.

Welcome to my first issue of my blog.  I have been thinking about adding a blog to the website for a while and finally got around to moving forward.   A blog will allow me the opportunity to espouse an opinion on various topics as they relate to our Militaria hobby, and sometimes, I may just spout off about something totally unrelated, but just on my mind.  That's the beauty of a blog.   I can just write about whatever I decide.  I do hope to be able to share news that moves our hobby forward.   

Okay, now onto Issue #1.  Recent information has bubbled up that is very interesting with regard to SS decals.   I am amazed at how well versed many of the advanced collectors are with the various nuances of SS decals.   On a recent discussion  on the German Helmet Walhalla, one of my helmets was discussed.   The helmet is a later War CKL M1942 Waffen SS helmet with a lot number of 4956.   The helmet has a Champagne Runic Decal that we typically see on the NS/SE (hkp) helmets.   This decal was questioned by a few collectors as it is not the typical ET type 2nd Pattern Runic decal, therefore it 'may' be fake.  When I initially sold this helmet several years ago, as part of my due diligence I sent the helmet to Kelly Hicks, author and expert, on the SS helmets.   Kelly determined at the time that the helmet had a Champagne Runic decal.   The helmet had also been in the possession of the family of the Veteran that brought the helmet back for 60+ years.   So, my comfort level in the authenticity of the decal was 100%.  

The recent discussion on the forum led me to pick up my copy of SS Steel, by Kelly Hicks and review some known SS decals, particularly the later War M42 SS helmets with Champagne Runic decals.   I took note of a late War NS M42 with the classic 'Champagne' decal.   I noticed several more champagne decals and began comparing the graphic characteristics of these known later War examples to the one on my CKL M42 SS helmet.   I contacted a noted SS collector up in Canada and mentioned to him to check out the Champagne decals on the M42s in Kelly Hicks SS Steel.   

The Admin at the GHW forum, also began to take note of possibly a pattern developing on M42 CKL helmets.   The GHW (German Helmet Walhalla) forum does a great job of tracking and documenting lot numbers.  They have accumulated a nice data base of helmets, types of decals, and run numbers.   The admin posted up a very informative thread about the later War CKL M1942s with the Champagne Runic decals.   It turns out that there are a number of known M1942 CKL pieces with the Champagne Runic decals.    Here's the thread if you would like to take a read.    http://www.walhalla.se/index.php?showtopic=11376   

Here's what the initial data looks like.   

M42 3238 clk 62 SD SS steel liner 1943
M42 3318 ckl 66 SD SS steel liner 1943
M42 3911 ckl 68 SD SS steel liner
M42 4291 ckl 70 SD SS steel liner
M42 4516 ckl 66 SD SS steel liner 1943
M42 4761 ckl 64 SD SS steel liner
M42 4956 ckl 66 SD SS steel liner 

Although this is not overwhelming evidence in numbers, it definitely looks like many of the M1942 CKL SS helmets did not receive the classic (ET) decal, but received the Champagne Runic decal that we see on the NS/SE helmets.    I am not sure what led to this change.   Perhaps the ET (CKL) firm contracted SS decals with the same vendor as the NS/SE (hkp) firm later in the War.   It's really hard to say exactly how the ET firm came to use the 'Champagne' runic decal.   One thing is for sure, the Champagne decals are extremely attractive decals.   Just goes to show you how the age of the internet has advanced knowledge in our hobby and allows an exchange of information that just a short 10 years ago was unheard of.

I hope you enjoyed the first issue hear and please feel free to contact me for more information or any questions on the topic.

Happy hunting!

Dave 

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