Helmet – M40 – EF66 – Two-tone camouflage
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, Luftwaffe colour on the inside
Decal: Probably Luftwaffe under the paint
Paint: Factory applied dull blue Luftwaffe paint with rough aluminium oxide. Overpainted in two-tone (Tan and Green) spray painted camouflage.
Markings: EF66 and 177 in the back
Shell Maker: Emaillierwerke A.G., Fulda.
Size: Shellsize 66, headsize 59 cm
Batch number: 177
Year: The chinstrap is dated 1940 and is original to the helmet indicating production around that date
Notes: At some point someone scratched a swastika in the side of the helmet in the camouflage paint. This is a postwar alteration on a otherwise, untouched helmet.
