Original Item: One-of-a-kind. This is a fine example of totally original Model M40 M-1940 German WW2 large size 66 helmet shell, refurbished by a master German camouflage restorer. The shell is faintly stamped Q66, indicating that F.W. Quist G.m.b.H. in the German city of Esslingen, Germany manufactured it. It is also stamped with lot number 208 under the rear skirt. Size 66 is a nice large size that can accommodate liners from 58cm to 59cm or US 7 1/4 to 7 3/8. Size 66 shells are much harder to find and are therefore more valuable to a collector.

Notable history of the WWII M40 Afrikakorp Tunisian Kasserine Pass Camouflage Helmet -

- The Kasserine Pass battle in Tunisia was the last Afrikakorp victory before capture in 1943 and it was the first large scale battle between US and German Forces.

- Montgomery and the British forces forced the DAK out of North Afrika and into Tunisia.

- The 5th Panzer Army was formed from remnants of the Afrika Korp veterans and was now part of 'Army Group Afrika '.

- The US launched operation Torch, the invasion of Tunisia and Army Group Afrika faced Americans on West and British on east squeezing them from both sides.

- This helmet was representative of those Afrikakorp forces in 'Army Group Afrika ' that were pieced together for this last victory before surrender or escape to Sicily to fight again.

- This example has a lovely textured worn brown and tan camouflage paint job tan put over the original issue blue gray paint. It also has had chicken wire strung around the entire shell. This allowed additional items such as fabric and foliage to be attached, improving the camouflage profile. As with the originals, any decals present were painted over.

- The chicken wire on this example exactly replicates the same European wire used during much of the war. The twist in the wire varies by country and by time. So many helmets out there use wire that is not correct for the period.

What does refurbished mean? While the shell is 100% genuine WWII manufacture, we have tasked, perhaps the very best German Helmet restorer in the USA, to customize this helmet. Every detail is hand done, with the finest materials including a hand painted shell, with a hand hand aged high quality reproduction liner. Please know that the paint, liner and chinstrap, while they look totally original are all new and the helmet has been refurbished to look as if it was picked up off the battlefield by a USGI and brought home as a war trophy.

This helmet is one-of-a-kind there will never be one exactly like it, making it a true collectors piece that will do nothing but appreciate in value in the coming years. This is a rare opportunity to own a genuine WWII German Helmet for a fraction of the cost of one with original camouflage paint.