Crystalline helical carbon nanotubes (HCNTs) are synthesized as the main products in the pyrolysis of acetylene at 450 degrees C over Fe nanoparticles generated by means of a combined sol-gel/reduction method. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images reveal that there are two HCNTs attached to each Fe3C nanoparticle, and that the two HCNTs are mirror images of each other. Annealing in Ar at 750 degrees C and purification by immersion in hot (90 degrees C) HCl solution do not significantly change the structure of the HCNTs, despite the partial removal of Fe nanoparticles by the latter treatment. The magnetic properties of the as-prepared, annealed, and purified HCNTs have been systematically examined. The annealed sample shows relatively high magnetization due to the ferromagnetic alpha-Fe nanoparticles encapsulated in the HCNT nodes. In the case of HCl treatment, relatively pure HCNTs are obtained by the removal of ferromagnetic nanoparticles from the double-HCNT nodes. The effects of the amount of catalyst used in the synthesis process on the morphology and yield of the carbon products have also been investigated.