Real or fake? My first Type 90 helmet...maybe

[Bob]

I am looking at this one online and I am leaning toward original. I still have much to learn. I just don't want my first Type 90 to end up being a bust. If it is real, is it worth 425 USD? 

Any input appreciated. 

Thanks, 

Bob

[Mr. Bushido]

I also assume that this item is original.

 

As for the price, I think it's a little high in Japan, but I don't know the market price outside of Japan.

[Bob]

Thanks Mr. Bushido, I think it's a little high too for just a shell, but I'm not as familiar with the market on these as I need to be. I'm just learning. Thanks for your input. 

[Mr.Jerry]

I too think the piece is original.  The price is a tad on the high side for a shell.

But that being said we see about 1 Japanese helmet for every 50 German ones we get in.

[Bob]

Thanks Jerry. I think it may be a tad high too, but I may go ahead and grab it and let it "grow" into the price...unless I see something else, hopefully with a liner. I plan on holding onto it for a while. 

Thanks.

[Ivydiv]

I have seen one at the local gun shows for the last six months. No liner, or chin strap, and a bit more paint than the one you show. I think he wants $350 for it. He should be at the Berea, Oh. Gun Show this weekend. Without the liner and chin strap, or a least the liner, they are a hard sell. You would be wise to hold off and see if you can find a better one with a liner. There is a big difference between values on the liner with the helmet. Dave

[Bob]

Ivydiv,

Sound advice, I keep going back and forth. I just haven't been able to commit to buying it because of the lack of liner. It would make a nice display, but eventually I may want to sell it and if I do I'd like it to sell easily. Thanks for the input. I just saw another one (see pics) with a bit more wear to the shell but it does have a liner. Not a great liner, but at least it has one. It's a little more but I'm trying to talk the seller down. 

Thanks.

[Mr. Bushido]

Just to clarify, the size of the first helmet is medium, while the size of the second one is large.

 

If you are particular about size, be careful there.

[Bob]

Thank you for the heads up about the size. I'm not particular about the size but I would not have known that. I have on order, the book "Uniforms and Equipment of the Imperial Japanese Army in World War 2" by Mike Hewitt. There seem to be few books that I can find on the subject. Any recommendations for a good reference book on uniforms, helmets or both? I hate to keep asking, what are probably obvious questions here, if I can do my own research. I have a pretty extensive library of reference books on German WW2 arms and uniforms but nothing on Japanese. Anybody know what would be considered the "go-to" book for this type of stuff? 

Thanks,

Bob

[shemp h.]

You should join as many forums as possible and go back to the beginning of those forums and read up to date and take notes, they're a gold mine of knowledge and information from some of the best collectors in the world!

 

           Bill