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SS
Helmets: A Collector's Guide Volume I: by Kelly Hicks
This
older softbound book features a nice selection of color and black and
white photographs of authenticated and rare SS helmets. The publisher
is Reddick Enterprises which is a retail catalog seller of reproduction
German militaria for collectors. Detailed photographs show the
interior of helmets, decals, color finishes, and overall variations in
pre-war transitional and combat styles. This book is still typically
purchased for a reasonable sum of $20 US.
Compared to other books the text is limited overall, but it does feature
commentary on both original and reproduction helmets. Readers
should be aware that the author's main focus in writing this guide was
to illustrate (through photographs) the visual aspects of known original
examples. The author is clearly adamant about his beliefs that
collectors should come into the hobby fully knowledgeable about original
helmets. His premise is that it is far easier to identify a fake
helmet when one knows what an original looks like.
Over
the years, a few collectors have stated that they believe some of the
helmets featured in this book are quite possibly reproductions.
However the author is a noted authority on the subject and has
personally identified each helmet in the book. He has always been
willing to defend his position on the helmets photographed. Many
of the helmets depicted are in fact in the possession of the author,
while others are from a variety of collections. Some of the
helmets have been observed for sale in the marketplace since this book
was first published.
The
book does not make an attempt to answer every question regarding German
helmets, but places emphasis exclusively on SS helmets. For collectors
looking for information on this highly controversial area of helmet
collecting, Volume I is a helpful guide in that matter. The work
is published as a softbound handbook and is only available in English. |
