Helmet – M40 – Q66 – Waffen SS – Three tone camouflage – Battle damaged
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: Factory applied Waffen-SS decals.
Paint: 2 layers of paint:
1. Factory applied dull field gray paint with rough aluminium oxide andfactory applied Waffen-SS decals.
2. Field applied three tone camouflage
Markings: Q66 and unreadable batch number
Maker: Quist, Esslingen.
Size: Shellsize 66, headsize 58 cm
Batch number: Unreadable
Year: 1940-1942
Notes: A real combat relic: A authentic Q66 M40 single decal Waffen-SS three-tone camouflage named helmet with battle damage. This unmolested example is completely untouched and retains its original liner and partial chinstrap. The camouflage paint to the exterior which was painted around the decal remains up to 85%. The original decal also remains for approximately 85%.
