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Jim McCauley
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    How to display hats and helmets

    coolcav20
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    How to display hats and helmets Empty How to display hats and helmets

    Post by coolcav20 Thu Dec 15, 2011 1:16 pm

    I need some advice on how to display my military hats and helmets. I dont have much space in my room and right now they are all layed out on a shelf above my jackets in my closet. Is there any nicer way to display them? I dont have much space but how do you guys display yours?

    Any ideas would be appreciated,
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    Post by Nkomo Thu Dec 15, 2011 4:04 pm

    Since this is a display question, I moved it to the DISPLAY, STORAGE, & PRESERVATION TIPS. It fits better in this category, coolcav.

    As any militaria collector can tell you, space is always a problem and always will be. There is a collector on another forum who has a building that is 5,200 square feet and I think he mentioned that he didn't know if that would be enough room to store/display his WW2 collection! affraid What happens is that when you get a bigger area for your collection, you buy more items and eventually run into the same problem that you had before.....no room.

    I know this is true for myself. At my house, I have a room strictly dedicated to my collection. It eventually filled up and then my daughter moved out to go to college. Her room became my second collection room and was strictly for OEF/OIF related items. It was nice, as I had areas to hang and display my uniforms on the window boxes and such. Nothing sweeter than being able to walk into a room and see eight ANA and ANP uniforms hanging up. Very Happy I had two commercial clothing racks in there and could peruse my DCU's and other desert uniforms. I had uniforms and gear hanging on door hangers. Both rooms were a little piece of heaven to me. Long story short, my daughter moved back for the summer and my second collection room was turned back into a bedroom. It sucked, but my daughter was home and that made up for it.

    Anyway, what I do is to hang certain uniforms up in my collection room. I rotate them occasionally as to keep my displays fresh. I do the same with my helmets as well. I display my helmets on wooden stands. When it comes to my hats, I will use a styrofoam head covered with cloth. In your situation, you could rotate your hats/caps/helmets on top of your shelf. It would work until you got a bigger area.

    I know Mike (Hooviedude) has some kick-ass helmet displays. I think he uses the wooden helmet stands and maybe he can weigh in on this thread. Hope this helps.
    coolcav20
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    Post by coolcav20 Thu Dec 15, 2011 4:16 pm

    Thanks for the advice.
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    Post by Mercenary25 Thu Dec 15, 2011 4:19 pm

    I usually display the helmets by stryofoam heads however I don't recommend you to use it as a long term display because the acid inside the foam will emits over time with little chance of damaging the helmets. It's great for photographing or temp display.
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    Post by Nkomo Thu Dec 15, 2011 4:23 pm

    Mercenary25 wrote:I usually display the helmets by stryofoam heads however I don't recommend you to use it as a long term display because the acid inside the foam will emits over time with little chance of damaging the helmets. It's great for photographing or temp display.

    Merc is 100% correct. Styrofoam should be used only temporarily. That is why I cover styrofoam heads with cloth and rotate the caps/hats routinely.
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    Post by Feindflug Thu Dec 15, 2011 5:33 pm

    Thanks guys for the info on the styrofoam head acid problem. Didn't know about that.
    mk1rceme
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    Post by mk1rceme Fri Dec 16, 2011 12:27 am

    I use antique woolen mill spools for some of my helmets. They come in different sizes so you can alternate the helmets height and fit more on a shelf. Cheap paper towel holders work well too. Just remember to cushion the part that contacts the helmet.

    Here is an old pic of some helmets on a high shelf using paper towel holders...

    How to display hats and helmets 01710

    And an old one of some spools...I like these better since they look old.

    How to display hats and helmets 01812
    coolcav20
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    Post by coolcav20 Fri Dec 16, 2011 6:14 am

    Very nice display and thanks for the tips.
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    Post by HoovieDude Tue Jan 10, 2012 11:46 am

    I can't show the pics, as I am gov't network and it blocks many things, like my photobucket, but you can also use various wall mounts. I've had good success with modifying wall mounted candle sconces, and a number of hat mounts from ebay. I will get some pics up this weekend when I am home.

    And the old tried and true wooden stands and styro heads work as well. I just put a piece of cloth on the styro heads to keep the chemicals from doing their evil deeds.

    Here is a link to some of the wall mounted hat stands...
    http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-Wall-Dome-Hat-display-Millinery-Rack-hldr-USA-/400269078325?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5d31e56f35

    Have also used a couple of these. You can elevate a lid above other pieces, or other lids..
    http://www.ebay.com/itm/DELUXE-METAL-ANTIQUE-REPLICA-HELMET-STAND-DISPLAY-60-/370397845002?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item563d6e960a
    Jim McCauley
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    Post by Jim McCauley Wed May 23, 2012 10:26 am

    Ikea glass cases. Cheap and can fit two helmets per shelf.

    How to display hats and helmets Hallow10
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    Post by wasntme Wed May 23, 2012 10:42 am

    Nice Jim,id love to find something like that.Just got my own warroom so been digging everything out of the closet.Hope everyone post some of their ideas could use them also.

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    Post by jayacee Thu May 24, 2012 4:47 pm

    hi nick i simply mount my lids on cheap rain water piping and hide the remainder with a gasmask and matching camo cloth hope this helps ,james How to display hats and helmets 100_2297How to display hats and helmets 100_2295How to display hats and helmets 100_2214
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    Post by Zeked Thu May 24, 2012 7:31 pm

    When I can find them cheap I like using old artillery shells. I cover up the top end so the sharper edges do not harm the helmet or hat. Thanks Clete
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    Post by bryanbg Sun Oct 11, 2015 1:23 pm

    These are some of my 'bring back' helmets (First Gulf War and OIF), as well as a way to display helmets representative of the ones I wore during my 28 years of service.

    Bought large decorative coat hooks at a Hobby Lobby.  Watch for their weekly sales - I got mine at half price (I think about 6 or 7 bucks each).  Mounted them to the wall to hang my helmets directly to the wall without requirement for a shelf.

    The smaller hook below the large one is allows for hanging something under.  In these cases I displayed the uniforms I wore overseas.

    How to display hats and helmets <a href=How to display hats and helmets Slide2_3" />


    How to display hats and helmets <a href=How to display hats and helmets Slide4_2" />

    How to display hats and helmets <a href=How to display hats and helmets Slide14" />

    How to display hats and helmets <a href=How to display hats and helmets Slide1_3" />

    How to display hats and helmets <a href=How to display hats and helmets Slide12_1" />
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    Post by jayacee Mon Oct 12, 2015 2:12 pm

    what a superb war room bryan ,i really like the way you have displayed the helmets and including the pasgt's and desert jackets ,i like the summer iraqi tank helmet is there any arabic symbols written on it ,and can i ask what the burlap covered helmet is ,im guessing an afghan bring back ,perhaps a romanian helmet in origin or perhaps a soviet ssch im also interested to know if the helmet displayed side on is a french m51 otan ,sorry for all the questions ,my displays have altered since i last posted and so ill share a few of my vet bring back collection and a mannequin circa desert storm ive been working on  ,regards james How to display hats and helmets 072_zpsp8igxuleHow to display hats and helmets 059_zpsri2eyj3bHow to display hats and helmets 056_zpsdzgyqbibHow to display hats and helmets 010_zps4ppzz6cvHow to display hats and helmets 018_zpsizirs0ayHow to display hats and helmets PICT0198_zps6ac60db9
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    Post by bryanbg Tue Oct 13, 2015 1:08 am

    I have to tell you James, that you have one hell of an impressive collection!  A great collection of various Coalition items as well.

    The tanker's cover does have some writing inside on the inner headset:

    How to display hats and helmets <a href=How to display hats and helmets 20151012_215452" />

    How to display hats and helmets <a href=How to display hats and helmets 20151012_215406" />


    I have another tanker's cover which is of heavier cloth material (not the hot weather version).  I'll likely find a spot to mount this one amongst the others.  There is some very faded inscription inside this as well:

    How to display hats and helmets <a href=How to display hats and helmets 20151012_221828" />

    How to display hats and helmets <a href=How to display hats and helmets 20151012_221849" />

    How to display hats and helmets <a href=How to display hats and helmets 20151012_215406" />



    These helmets are all 'bring backs' taken off the battle fields (mostly western and northern Kuwait).

    The helmet with the burlap cover I also brought home from the First Gulf War.  I took it off of a dead Iraqi, and noted that it had folded up and stored in the inner webbing a page out of a women's fashion magazine.  What it was doing in the helmet I'll leave it draw our own conclusion (however it does indeed grow lonely out in the desert).

    How to display hats and helmets <a href=How to display hats and helmets 20140519_200030_2" />

    How to display hats and helmets <a href=How to display hats and helmets 20140519_200040_2" />

    How to display hats and helmets <a href=How to display hats and helmets 20140519_200102_1" />

    How to display hats and helmets <a href=How to display hats and helmets 20140519_200110_1" />


    There is a helmet I literally pulled from a compost pile from a farm we were searching for weapons on west of Baghdad.  Cleaned off and brought it home.  It looks like an old Easter Bloc (Soviet, maybe) style steel helmet.  Its the one furthest to the right:

    How to display hats and helmets <a href=How to display hats and helmets 20150309_233054" />
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    Post by jayacee Tue Oct 13, 2015 2:31 pm

    many thanks bryan for the nice comments and also for taking the time for the extra info and pictures regarding your collection ,nice salty tankie's shown ,thanks for showing the  arabic script inside the ear cup's i have a chinese t69 tank helmet with similar markings ,do any of your's still retain the original soviet stampings on the foldable rear neck flap ,,the burlap has been well stitched in place on what looks like a us m1 liner ,i find it very interesting and also is the one piece chinstrap simply stitched into the burlap? ,here is my  iraqi tank helmet's in greater detail  with similar text to show you and also an iraqi helmet which have been inscribed on the brimHow to display hats and helmets 023_zpsh5ygu3ezHow to display hats and helmets 028_zpslmedsdzjHow to display hats and helmets 030_zps8zs9xllkHow to display hats and helmets 012_zps768d18f5How to display hats and helmets 001_zpse8d5306dHow to display hats and helmets 009_zps94306685this one i was told translated a bit like a claymore ,"FACE TOWARDS ENEMY "
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    Post by bryanbg Wed Oct 14, 2015 12:37 am

    Don't see the old Soviet markings on the one sitting on my desk. I'll eventually get up off of my lazy fat ass and will pull the other one off the wall and take a look!

    Give me some time.
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    Post by jayacee Wed Oct 14, 2015 1:42 pm

    No problem bryan ,as and when

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