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The decals shown below depict some of the
most common of all reproduction Waffen-SS decals currently on the
market. Most of the decals are considered "high end" reproductions that
look very similar to originals. One will notice immediately the
degree to which counterfeit artists strive to replicate an authentic
looking decal. Both first and second pattern runic shields are
depicted in the images below, as well as an example of the uncommon
Croatian pattern volunteer shield. These decals all originate in
central and eastern Europe and are well-known to most advanced
collectors. Important to note is the degree to which all of the
decals differ from both original examples as well as from each other.
The majority of the decals shown below are believed to be lacquer based
decals, which make them harden (or bond) to a helmet with a similar look
or feel of an original.
There are at least 20 known counterfeit
decal designs that strive to replicate the Waffen-SS runic pattern shields.
Most are produced by several different firms which have attempted since
1980 to replicate the look of an original decal. Counterfeit
artists have now accomplished to replicate the proper metallic look of
an authentic decal, however various elements of the overall designs lack
the character of true originals. Specific details concerning why
the decals shown below differ from authentic examples will not be
described here in an effort to prevent counterfeit artists from
modifying or "correcting" the faults inherent in the examples shown
below. Close comparison of these decals to helmets currently
offered on the open market will generally reveal that the helmets for
sale today are mainly composed of replicas that exhibit one of the many
of the decals shown below. Several of the decals below are the
same but appear different based on artificial aging and the surface to
which they have been applied.
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