Helmet – M42 – EF62 – Vet Art
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: M42
Decal: none
Paint: Factory applied dull field gray paint with rough aluminium oxide.
Markings: EF62 and 3733 in the back
Chinstrap: Unblackened example
Shell Maker: Emaillierwerke A.G., Fulda.
Size: Shellsize 62, headsize 54 cm
Batch number: 3733
Year: The EF helmets received decals until the 8th of august 1943. This one had a decal applied which indicates production after to that date.
Notes: This helmet was purchased directly from the granddaughter of veteran 5510919 George Raymond Heikmott. The veteran painted all town names he went through as the war progressed after D-day. In the liner he wrote the following;
5510919 George Raymond Heikmott Landed D6 12-6-44 at Ouistreham
On the top of the helmet we can read the following town names;
Arromanches
Luc-Sur-Mer
Arras
Caen
Ouistreham
St. Nicolas
Abbeville
Rouen
Sas van Gent
Langrune
Zelzate
Terneuzen
Helmond
Eindhoven
Venlo
Ghent
Goch
Lisieux
Dieppe
Ronse
Hannover
Brussels
Bayeux
Tournai
South-Beveland
Lille
EU
Wesel
Osnabruck
Belsen-Camp
Antwerp
Rhine
Xanten
Nienburg
Munster
Celle
