It really is time Premiere admitted that they were either scam artists or incompetent because they have to be one or the other. And I think we should all feel deeply insulted by how little intelligence they are crediting the prop collecting community with by introducing their "MPDNA" system, which based on the way things are going at the moment is just going to be an easy way of spotting a replica in the future - if it's "DNA tagged" and Premiere are vouching for it then walk away! Yes they do have some genuine items and always have done, but trust can't operate on a "hit and miss" basis. It's sad but true to say that in these days of hugely inflated prices, if an item doesn't have a cast-iron provenance then it's not worth the risk if you're looking to make a buck by selling on later. On the other hand, if you're buying for your own pleasure then in the end it's what YOU believe that matters.
There have been plenty of threads covering the manifold joys of self delusion when it comes to prop collecting, and the same applies here. If you are convinced that the Viper helmet is genuine, are prepared to pay the asking price, and will take pleasure from owning it, then that's your call and it's a valid one for you. But if you're like me, and I suspect the majority of other collectors here, and the slightest doubt about the piece destroys any chance that owning it will give you the joy it should, then you have to pass. I always ask myself "how much are you prepared to spend on the chance that it MIGHT be real?" Usually it's not that much....
Even in my ignorance I now see that they did use a real horse head, I'll save that for a later fun fact
