World's Most Valuable SS Helmet Found?

In a museum in New York is probably the most valuable SS steel helmet in the world - which infamous WWII leader once owned it, and how did it end up in the United States? Find out the full story here...

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Disclaimer: All opinions and comments expressed in the 'Comments' section do not reflect the opinions of Mark Felton Productions. All opinions and comments should contribute to the dialogue. Mark Felton Productions does not condone written attacks, insults, racism, sexism, extremism, violence or otherwise questionable comments or material in the 'Comments' section, and reserves the right to delete any comment violating this rule or to block any poster from the channel.

Credits: The Guardian; New York Daily News; The Tribeca Trib; Narodin filmy archiv; Gerald Zchetner; Omaemona 1982; Daniela Wolf; Swedish Army Museum; Alexander Historical Auctions; The Field Artillery Journal; Ratisbons.

[thebestone-ry]

There's a book called Windswept Lies of War, and it talks from censored history and hidden secrets to lost files and classified documents about World War II, it's the real deal.

[marquisdelafayette-xeht]

Mark Felton gets the weirdest 3am thought.
Imagine him laying in bed…. And then just “What’s the most valuable SS Helmet found?”…. And then stays up all night researching…..

[hellsing]

Himmler looks like a giant nerd already but him wearing that helmet is ridiculous 😂

[TheGMan.]

Himler wearing that helmet brings the term Richard Cranium to a new level.

[LeveretteJamesClifford]

Interesting video, thanks. When I was a kid in '67, we used to play war all the time. Since so many kids had fathers who were WW2 vets, they used their German helmets. One kid who was genuinely a bad kid, showed up in my front yard with the other kids but instead of a regular army helmet, he showed up with a nearly perfect, glossy black SS helmet. My dad did not care about kids playing in their fathers' war bring backs. But he saw the SS helmet and went ballistic. He went outside and approached the kid and told him to take that helmet out of the yard and then he could come back and play. But then the kid started mouthing off to my dad and all hell broke lose. This kid kept a lot of dubious company and in the 8th grade, became a heroin addict, had gotten arrested several times, was really on a fast track to death. So this little "badass" with an attitude left yelling that he was going to have his dad come back and kick my dad's butt. His dad did not come to the house he was probably sick and tired of Jr. doing bad stuff and then coming to get him! At any rate, that was the last time he came around. Speed forward twenty years and instead of being dead, he actually made a turn around. He got a job at the local hospital taking blood from people. He told me that his experience of finding blood vessels to inject into was good practice for getting a job. Who would have ever thought. Anyway, he continued working in various positions at the hospital. Oh, he still had interest in doing things that would get his adrenaline flowing, he was what would later be called a Base Jumper. He would take his parachute to a radio tower that was three times as tall as the Empire Stadium and jump. He was still alive the last time I saw him.

[picklerix]

Himmler was the prototype for “Dark Helmet” in “Spaceballs”.

[FrankieAngels]

That photo of Himmler in the helmet really looks like Arte Johnson’s “Very Interesting!” German soldier character from Laugh In!

[richardsheppard]

I love Mark’s work. He should be on mainstream tv. Proper history dude

[claiborneeastjr]

I've learned so much from Mark's videos. Extremely informative, accurate, and interesting. A real treasure trove.

[seymourwrasse]

I'm surprised Himmler bothered with the chin strap, he had no chin

[secondsrule]

I think Mark is the only British person who pays attention how to pronounce words in other languages than just English. ❤😂

[eh]

Early bird gets the new Mark Felton video

[mrw]

I don't think I'll ever stop being excited when I see a video from Mark felton pop up

[BowmanBro]

Much appreciated Dr.Felton and always thank you for your dedication to all of our shared history you are an inspiration!

[davidrenton]

i literally have a couple of SS helmets in a cupboard, my dad brought them in Paris in the 60's, gotta check if any nametags, knowing my luck it will be Colonel Wilhelm Klink

[ssnydess]

A little helmet trivia:
The upper protruding stud, above the rivets on the 1917 & 1918 helmets was for fitting face shields, that were commonly issed to machine gunners in WW1. I am not sure how effective they were, as they were removed in post war helmets and not reintroduced in the following years.

[KevinColon-hhez]

Exceptional video, as always.
"Souvenir Hungry" GI's brought back a piece of history to educate.
I would have sought souvenirs as well...

Once again Mr Felton, you never disappoint.

[petergunn-wv]

Fascinating as always. The helmet Himmler is wearing at 6:09 is almost certainly an aluminum private purchase version - has a funny shape, stamped vent lug, and the extra rivet for the chinstrap. Compare it to the M18 on the man to his right. The German M17 is merely an M16 with a steel liner band vs. the M16's leather one. Looks like the only exterior difference between the Austrian M17 and the German M17 is the location of the chinstrap rivet. Best book ever on the German steel helmets is by Ludwig Baer - glad I got my copy when it was $30...and my helmets when they were $25-$60.

[krisfrederick]

It's always comical to me, seeing Himmler the chicken farmer, play dress up as a soldier having never served in combat. Ace as always Mark. No stone unturned

[russwoodward]

These Stahlhelms had a sort of vertical exaggerated shape and a cap-like brim. Thank you Dr. Felton. Very fascinating.