Helmet – M40 – EF62 – Single decal Heer – Battle damage
Arguably the helmet was the most recognizable part of the individual German soldiers appearance. With a design that derived from the type used in world war one, the German helmet offered more protection then ones used by it’s enemies. The quality field gray painted steel helmet with two decals and rolled steel rim and leather liner was a labor intensive product and simplified as the war progressed. The earliest model helmet used in world war two was the model 35 or M35 Stahlhelm. During the war the helmet was simplified in 2 stages. In 1940 the airvents changed from separate rivets affixed to the helmet shell to stamped in the main body of the shell. In 1942 a new model was introduced where the rim of the shell was left sharp and not rolled over as previous models. These models are known in the collector community as M40 and M42. The low sides that protect the neck and ears, the tell tale design that the Germans introduced in 1935 can still be seen in modern day army helmets.
Model: M40
Decal: Heer (army)
Paint: Factory applied dull field gray paint with rough aluminium oxide.
Markings: EF62 and batch number in the back
Chinstrap: Blackened leather, marked L.L.G. Baden 1940
Shell Maker: Emaillierwerke A.G., Fulda.
Size: Shellsize 62, headsize 55 cm
Batch number: –
Year: 1940-1942
Notes: The helmet is complete with its original liner and chinstrap that are original to the helmet. The helmet retains up to 90% of its original factory paint and decal. The helmet has a damage to the rear of the helmet most probably caused by a bullet or shrapnel. The helmet is named to Bauer written in the leather and in the rear of the helmet. The leather has one small bit of blood stain near the crown. The rear split pin has been addorned with a leather strap with a carrying D-ring marked DRP or Deutsches Reichs Patent. This D-ring was installed to wear the helmet on the Y-strap.
