{"product_id":"original-german-wwii-army-heer-m40-age-toned-single-decal-steel-helmet-with-59cm-liner-and-partial-chinstrap-stamped-et66","title":"Original German WWII Army Heer M40 Age Toned Single Decal Steel Helmet with 59cm Liner and Partial Chinstrap - Stamped ET66","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice service used all original example of a German WWII M40 helmet, issued to the Heer (Army). This stamped sheet steel construction helmet retains a good amount of its original lightly textured \u003cem\u003epanzergrau\u003c\/em\u003e (armored gray) paint, but does show overall chipping, scratches, and rust, typical of a helmet that was used in the field for a long time. We would estimate the paint is retained at about 60%, and has discolored due to oxidation and use.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe left side of the helmet features a Heer eagle decal, which is retained about 75%, with damage from wear and use, which has removed the bottom with most of the swas emblem. 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 shell overall has a great used look that is impossible to duplicate!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe reverse, interior, neck guard apron is batch number stamped, \u003cstrong\u003e358\u003c\/strong\u003e and the interior, left side, apron has a stamped manufacturer's code and size, \u003cstrong\u003eET66\u003c\/strong\u003e indicating that it was manufactured by \u003cem\u003eEisenhüttenwerk of Thale\u003c\/em\u003e, located in the Harz district in Saxony, Germany. Size 66 is a rather large size that can accommodate liners from 58cm to 59cm or US 7 1\/4 to 7 5\/8. Size 66 shells are harder to find and are therefore more valuable to a collector.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll three liner retaining pins are intact, and still retain some of the original paint, though most has worn away. It also looks like they may have been zinc plated, most of which has worn away. The interior of the helmet still has the original M31 leather liner with all eight of its fingers intact, and the top tie is original and still tied in place. The leather now shows a lovely chestnut brown color from age and use, and there is some cracking and tearing to the fingers closer to the tips. The outer side of the galvanized steel liner band over the left ear is marked \u003cstrong\u003e66 n.A \/ 59\u003c\/strong\u003e, indicating that this is a size 58 liner for a size 66 shell, and there is also a faint \u003cstrong\u003e59\u003c\/strong\u003e stamped onto the leather of the liner. There are faint maker markings on the right side, however we cannot read them due to oxidation. The helmet still retains the longer side of the chinstrap, however it only has 10 of the original 13 adjustment holes, and also is in delicate condition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOverall a very nice 100% genuine M40 Single Decal Heer Army helmet, with a great \"been there\" look! M40 helmets of this quality are always the hard to find on the market. This is an item that will only continue to appreciate in value over time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Army's Supreme Command officially accepted the new helmet on June 25, 1935 and it was intended to replace all other helmets in service.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMore than 1 million M1935 helmets were manufactured in the first two years after its introduction, and millions more were produced until 1940 when the basic design and production methods were changed, replacing the multi-piece riveted vent with one stamped directly into the steel. Later, in 1942 the rolled steel rim was removed from the pattern to further expedite production.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43467951996997,"sku":"ONSV24FMS034","price":750.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONSV24FMS034__05.jpg?v=1756319702","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-german-wwii-army-heer-m40-age-toned-single-decal-steel-helmet-with-59cm-liner-and-partial-chinstrap-stamped-et66","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}