{"product_id":"original-german-wwii-ground-dug-heer-single-decal-m40-battle-damaged-relic-helmet-shell-size-66","title":"Original German WWII Ground Dug Heer Single Decal M40 Battle Damaged Relic Helmet Shell - Size 66","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is definitely a German helmet shell that has some stories to tell! Here we have a nice M40 Heer Army \"Single Decal\" helmet shell, offered in \"battlefield dug\" condition, with significant oxidation and paint loss from being under the ground for a long period of time. It also looks to have sustained heavy battle damage before that time, with what looks like small arms fire to the front brim, and a large hole in the top, showing edges bent outwards. If this helmet was being worn when this damage occurred, the wearer would have certainly been killed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAfter the helmet was damaged, it looks like the hole in the helmet was made bigger due to oxidation while it was buried, so we do not know how large the hole originally was, but we assume that part of the shell was removed completely when it was originally damaged. Due to being buried it now shows oxidation over the entire shell, inside and out, and most of the original paint has been removed. Still there is a clear Heer Army decal on the left side of the helmet, which is worn, but still definitely shows the eagle. it does look somewhat gold in color, but that is almost certainly due to age and oxidation, and not due to it being a Kriegsmarine decal. The helmet measures about 67cm around, so it is a \u003cstrong\u003e66cm\u003c\/strong\u003e shell. The original maker and size markings have been completely obliterated by rust. Please consult the pictures for the fine details of the current state of the helmet shell.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOverall a very interesting genuine \"Battlefield Dug Up\" Heer Army \"Single Decal\" M40 helmet Shell! A fantastic display piece!\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\u003eThe 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.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42520661753925,"sku":"ONJR24FESS177","price":395.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONJR24FESS177__03.jpg?v=1742246275","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-german-wwii-ground-dug-heer-single-decal-m40-battle-damaged-relic-helmet-shell-size-66","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}