The examples I've seen look black rather than field gray like I would have expected. So how should they be painted? Steel color?

Hi Tom.

The Standard would be gray-green paint (feldgrau). This would be over painted for the theatre of war ie D.A.K. or for the winter. Later in the war there is examples of helmets being painted camo by the men "in field" The feldgrau would vary due to age and the make of paint. As you you can see here.

http://12lancers.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=13

You can if you wish. see them being made here.

http://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=15933

As far as I know black was only used as part of the waffen ss dress uniform.

Good luck

This is the website that prompted this question:
http://www.german-helmets.com/
I'm actually doing German helmets for Chinese Nationalist soldiers, so I wondered.

Hi Tom

You have got me on that one. The pictures i have seen the helmet does look rather dark but maybe thats due to the lighter color of the summer uniform. The one that they show bottem left looks feldgrau with a nationalist decal.

http://www.german-helmets.com/FOREIGN%20USE%20Main.htm



hope somebody else jumps in with more info for you.