Helmet – M40 – ET66 – Heer single decal, brush overpaint
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
Paint: In total 2 layers.
1. Factory applied dull field blue gray paint with rough aluminium oxide with a factory applied Heer decal.
2. Brush applied re-issue grey paint
Markings: ET66 – 76
Maker: Eisenhüttenwerke, Thale.
Size: Shellsize 66, headsize 59 cm
Batch number: 76
Year: 1940
Notes: A great light gray camouflaged helmet in good untouched condition. The helmet retains up to 90% of its wartime camouflage paint. The helmet retains its original liner and (shortened) chinstrap. The helmet is brush camouflaged with a light gray texture paint. This was often done on a unit scale when items lost most of their factory finish. The helmet is named to Bleiber and Länger which indicates this helmet switched owners at some point.
