Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice all original service used example of a German Model 42 Steel helmet, as issued to the Wehrmacht Heer (army). This stamped sheet steel construction helmet retains about 90% of its original textured panzergrau paint on the exterior, looking to possibly have been repainted during the war. The interior has had the paint flake, and underneath it looks to be what we see referred to as a "phosphate" finish", which is matte and light gray green in color. We assume this helmet was made early in M42 production, and saw enough service to nee an arsenal refinish.

The left side of the helmet features a Heer eagle decal, which is retained about 75%, with damage from wear and use, showing overall light chipping and loss of the enamel top coat. It still has a lovely metallic sheen to the Heer Eagle, and the upper layers have age toned and been discolored by the oxidation to the steel, which makes it look almost like it is gold. We have considered that this could be a Kriegsmarine decal, however close examination of the decal and also of other very age toned examples indicates to us that it is an age-toned Heer Army Decal. Overall the helmet overall has a great used look that is impossible to duplicate!

The reverse, interior, neck guard apron is batch number stamped 1926, and the interior, left side, apron has a faint stamped manufacturer's code and size, E.F.64 indicating that indicating it was manufactured by Emaillierwerke AG, of Fulda Germany in size 64. Later in the war this maker would move both markings to under the rear skirt to save production time. Size 64 is a nice medium size that can accommodate liners from 56cm to 57cm or US 7 to 7 1/8. Size 64 shells are harder to find and are therefore more valuable to a collector.

All three liner retaining pins are intact, however they have galvanized caps, which has resulted in much of the original paint on top flaking off of all three. The interior of the helmet still has an original M31 leather liner, which is in very good service used condition. All eight "fingers" are intact along with the top tie, and it has a lovely chestnut brown color, though the leather is a bit stiff. The left exterior of the galvanized steel liner band is marked 64 n. A. / 57, indicating that it is a size 57 liner for a size 64 shell. The right side displays the full manufacture information, as well as a date:

SCHUBERTH-WERKE K.-G.
D. R. P.
1940
BRAUNSCHWEIG

Most likely this liner was in stock when the helmet was made in 1942, and we do not see any signs of it being replaced. The helmet still has an original chinstrap installed, however the leather is quite degraded, and it has torn below the left side attachment. We did note that it is a transitional example, with a steel buckle but aluminum attachment studs, correct for the 1940 period.

Overall an very nice M42 Single Decal Heer Army helmet, with loads of patina! M42 helmets of this quality are always the hardest to find on the market. This is an item that will only continue to appreciate in value over time.

The first "modern" steel helmets were introduced by the French army in early 1915 and were shortly followed by the British army later that year. With plans on the drawing board, experimental helmets in the field, ("Gaede" helmet), and some captured French and British helmets the German army began tests for their own steel helmet at the Kummersdorf Proving Grounds in November, and in the field in December 1915. An acceptable pattern was developed and approved and production began at Eisen-und Hüttenwerke, AG Thale/Harz, (Iron and Foundry Works), in the spring of 1916.

These first modern M16 helmets evolved into the M18 helmets by the end of WWI. The M16 and M18 helmets remained in usage through-out the Weimar Reichswehr, (National Defence Force, Circa 1919-1933), era and on into the early years of the Third Reich until the development of the smaller, lighter M35 style helmet in June 1935.

In 1934 tests began on an improved Stahlhelm, whose design was a development of World War I models. The Eisenhüttenwerke company of Thale carried out prototype design and testing, with Dr. Friedrich Schwerd once again taking a hand.

The new helmet was pressed from sheets of molybdenum steel in several stages. The size of the flared visor and skirt was reduced, and the large projecting lugs for the obsolete armor shield were eliminated. The ventilator holes were retained, but were set in smaller hollow rivets mounted to the helmet's shell. The edges of the shell were rolled over, creating a smooth edge along the helmet. Finally, a completely new leather suspension, or liner, was incorporated that greatly improved the helmet's safety, adjustability, and comfort for each wearer. These improvements made the new M1935 helmet lighter, more compact, and more comfortable to wear than the previous designs.

The Army's Supreme Command officially accepted the new helmet on June 25, 1935 and it was intended to replace all other helmets in service.

The M1935 design was slightly modified in 1940 to simplify its construction, the manufacturing process now incorporating more automated stamping methods. The principal change was to stamp the ventilator hole mounts directly onto the shell, rather than utilizing separate fittings. In other respects, the M1940 helmet was identical to the M1935. The Germans still referred to the M1940 as the M1935, while the M1940 designation were given by collectors.

The last wartime upgrade to the standard helmet took place on 6 July 1942 at the request of the Army High Command. The rolled edge found on M1935 and M1940 helmets was discontinued as a measure of economy. On 1 August 1942 the first M1942 helmets were placed into production, and this was the model produced until late in the war, when most factories were captured or stood idle due to material shortages.