M40 Quist Helmet – Woodwork Found Q64

Product Description: This M40 Quist Helmet is a killer and totally complete example that has never been in a collection before. We got it “out of the woodwork” in Berkley, Massachusetts. It’s a wartime, single decal Army helmet. The exterior remains nearly all of the typical, dark gray/green matte textured wartime paint. The paint shows even wear, with some marks and chips, and an uncleaned age patina. This helmet was made by Quist, and features the desirable Quist “Bigfoot” Heer decal. The decal is extremely well preserved, about 98 percent intact, with light age patination and toning. The interior of this M40 Quist Helmet retains the original factory installed liner, as well as the original leather chinstrap. The liner has a zinc band. The leather shows light, honest wear, and is stamped with the size, “57.” It’s also named in ink to an “Oberleutnant Schuster,” a First Lieutenant. The original drawstring is still present. The inside of the skirt is stamped “Q64” (for Quist, size 64) and bears the lot number “T600.” The chinstrap is complete and full-length, and is marked with an illegible 3-letter code and a “41” date. It has a typical wartime steel buckle. This fresh to the market helmet displays great and is a desirable, untouched and complete example of this helmet type. It is in excellent condition.

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.

We are the leading team of military antique specialists. We have specialized in military antiques for over 25 years.

Epic Artifacts offers free evaluations and the highest prices available for your collectibles.

We purchase single items, entire collections, or family estates.

Click the link here to learn more: Free Evaluation or Inquiries 

or feel free to email us directly: info@epicartifacts.com