Description
This product is intended for military-historical reenactment (immersive stydy of history); for creating costumes for theatrical and film, video plays condemning Nazism and fascism; as well as for exhibiting in museums of military history. This product is not propaganda of ideas and criminals convicted by an International Military Tribunal, and should not be used for such a purpose!
This copy is an independent new development made specifically for the Replika store, it is not a reprint from copies. Based on the original samples, we have developed a computer model. The thickness of the frame, the dimensions and the slopes of the parts are carefully checked. The decals have the right proportions and perfect symmetry. The decals were printed on professional equipment, the print conveys the smallest details.
To see additional photos please follow the link.
We sell only one shield here — an eagle. To get the kit, you need to buy another shield: decal party flag 2 model.
There are 3 colors used on the decal: black, silver and gray. Gray serves as shadows on the image, as it was on the original.
Together with each decal there is a strip-tester about 3x1 cm in size. In composition, it is exactly the same as the decal and is painted in all the main colors of the decal. Using it, try to work with the decal, see how the decal will sit on your surface, how it will look after drying. Try baking, the effect of varnish. Try to remove the top coat of varnish if you really want to.
Why are there stripes on the varnish?
Decals can be supplied in a plastic film that protects the front part. It must be removed before work.
There are 2 layers of varnish on the decals. There may stripes on the upper one caused by storage (from plastic film). This is not considered a defect. When you transfer the decal to the rough surface of the helmet, these stripes will become invisible. If desired, the top layer of varnish can be removed (just scratch with your finger from the corner when decal is dry, the upper varnish will peel off like a film, the paint and another layer of varnish will remain). But in order for the decal to look authentic, we do not recommend removing the protective varnish layer (because it was quite thick on the originals), we recommend fixing the decal by "baking".
How to install the decal?
Put a piece of paper with the image (as it is, do not cut anything) in warm water for 30-60 seconds. After that, the decal must be put on the surface of the helmet and, holding the image with your finger, pull the paper base out. Set the pattern evenly, wet it with water if it sticks. You can pre-mark the surface of the helmet using a pencil, where the corners of the picture should be. Then remove the water from under the picture with a rag or toilet paper, holding the image with your fingers, so as not to move. Let it dry for at least a day. The decal will shrink to the surface.
How to fasten the decal?
The decal keeps perfectly by itself and does not require fastening. However, if you are going to wear a helmet during reenactment and make it wet in the rain, the decal must be additionally fixed.
1) A well-dried image can be varnished. Areas around the decal should be masked before varnishing. Varnish is sold as aerosol in stores for artists or motorists. Before applying the varnish, it is recommended to remove the upper protective film from the decal. On original helmets the lacquer over the decals was usually gloss and covered the decal area plus 1-2 mm from the edge.
2) Another way is called "baking". It may not give a good result from the first time (the decal may swell if there is air or water droplets under it), but if the result is successful, the decal holds so firmly that it can only be removed along with the paint. It literally melts into the paint and becomes one with it. To bake the decal, you need to heat the helmet in an oven (gas or electric, not microwave!) untill you can't normally touch it with your hand, but not more, so as not to burn the paint. Then turn off the heater and allow the helmet to cool down.
Historical reference.
The early model of the Police decal does not have an outline around the edge. There were several options. The decal has an interesting design: silvery "shadows" add volume to the eagle and wreath, distinguishing it from the flat eagles of the Wehrmacht. This unique feature of Police decals is observed on our copy!
The police decal was usually installed on the left side of the helmet. A shield with the symbols of the 2nd model party (a red shield with a white circle and a black swastika) was usually installed on the right side.
