Luftwaffe M40 Single Decal Helmet – ET66

Product Description: Presented here is a fine and exceptionally well-preserved example of a Luftwaffe M40 Single Decal Helmet – SE66, manufactured by Sächsische Emaillier und Stanzwerke and stamped SE66 to the interior skirt, denoting a desirable large shell size. This combat helmet bears the original factory-applied textured blue-grey Luftwaffe field paint, consistent with wartime reissue standards, with approximately 98% of the finish remaining intact. The paint surface exhibits even patina and honest field wear, with minor rubbing to the front crown area likely the result of stacking during storage or transport.

The Luftwaffe eagle decal is an outstanding feature of this helmet, remaining 100% intact and sharply detailed. Although the chinstrap is absent, the helmet retains its original leather liner, size-stamped ‘59’, which remains in remarkable condition. All leather tongues are present, supple, and complete, and the liner still retains its full-length original drawstring. The interior further boasts straight, untouched split pins, firmly seated and showing no signs of tampering. A clear dome stamp is visible within the crown, a detail highly sought after by discerning collectors. The interior has not been cleaned, and the presence of a distinct dust ring around the liner band suggests prolonged, undisturbed storage.

This Luftwaffe M40 Single Decal Helmet – SE66 exemplifies the ideal balance between originality, condition, and historical authenticity. Its near mint appearance, exceptional decal, and unaltered liner configuration mark it as a textbook specimen of the Luftwaffe M40, seldom encountered in such complete and well-preserved state. It would rate as excellent++ to near mint by advanced collector standards, and stands as a superb addition to any serious collection of Third Reich combat helmets.

Historical Description: When the German Army first marched into war in 1914, it went to the front lines wearing the traditional “Picklehaube” helmets. The war soon developed to necessitate the need for an improved headgear to protect the wearer. The German Army developed the M16 helmet in 1915 and began issuing it in mass quantity to its fighting troops in 1916. The M16 underwent changes to bring about the next model, the M18. Both the M16 and M18 saw use by the German Army during WW1, as well as the interwar years by the Reichswehr and Freikorps. In 1931, a new liner system was developed. The M16 and M18 helmets were in mass supply right up to the time the Nazi Party took control of the German government. During Adolf Hitler’s rearming of the German military in the early 1930’s, the M16 and M18 helmets saw extensive refitting with the newer liner system, fresh paint, and the addition of a centralized decal system for the newly formed Wehrmacht’s respective branches. Decals were generally placed on each side of the helmet, one side being the branch and the other the national colors shield or party shield. In 1935, the M35 helmet was introduced. This new design was lighter and more streamlined than the older style helmets and is what the world now recognizes as the iconic helmet of the German Military. M35 helmets can most easily be identified from the separate rivet ventholes and rolled edges. With the outbreak of war, some changes were made to bring in a new model, the M40. The changes made to this new model was the use of a more matte field grey finish and the vent holes were now integral to the helmets shell. In 1940, the national colors decals and party shields were ordered to be removed. It should be noted that many M35 helmets were brought up to date by repainting them with the matte field grey finish and/or other modifications if necessary. These refitted helmets are what collectors now term “reissue helmets”. The next model helmet to evolve was the M42. The model M42 has the same features of the M40 with the exception of the edges of the helmet not being rolled and remain flared. This was to speed up production and lower cost as the war dragged on and the German economy began changing to a total war economy. In 1943 all decals were ordered to be removed from combat helmets.

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