Original Item: Only One Available. This is an original German WWII Heer Army single decal M42 steel helmet retaining approximately 80% of its lightly textured Panzergrau exterior finish, together with an approximately 85% intact Heer eagle decal, original M31 liner dated 1940, and an original later pattern chinstrap that has been repaired for display. The shell is stamped ET66 with rear lot number 2432, and the liner is sized 58cm.

The stamped steel shell retains most of its original lightly textured Panzergrau paint. There are several dents, scratches, chips, and exposed areas where oxidation has developed, producing light staining across portions of the exterior. The overall appearance is strongly service worn but still retains substantial original finish.

The left side carries the original silver Heer eagle decal, which remains approximately 85% intact. It shows wear from use and some oxidation staining, especially around the right wing and portions of the mobile swas, but much of the metallic appearance remains visible and portions of the original clear top coat are still present.

The left interior skirt is stamped:

ET66

identifying manufacture by Eisenhüttenwerk of Thale, located in the Harz district in Saxony, Germany. Later during war in 1943, the ET marking was discontinued in favor of three letter code ckl, and the size and maker mark would move under the rear skirt. 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. The rear interior skirt is stamped:

2432

All three original liner retaining pins remain present and retain varying amounts of their original paint. The helmet retains its original M31 leather liner, though the leather is now in delicate relic condition. The front portion has torn through over the inner band, exposing the felt padding, and there are additional tears and missing sections to the liner fingers. The leather has darkened significantly and shows areas of dry rot.

The galvanized steel liner band is marked over the left ear:

66 n.A. / 58

indicating a size 58 liner fitted to a size 66 shell. The right side is marked:

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

The liner band therefore dates to 1940, several years earlier than the M42 shell pattern. This indicates that the helmet contains an earlier liner assembly, whether fitted during wartime service or at a later date cannot be established from the supplied information alone.

An original chinstrap remains attached to the liner loops. It is the later pattern with steel buckle and attachment studs and retains all thirteen original adjustment holes, with an additional hole added closer to the attachment point. The strap is torn through at the ninth hole from the end and has been stabilized with transparent tape for display.

With its ET66 shell, lot number 2432, approximately 80% original textured Panzergrau finish, approximately 85% Heer decal, original 1940 dated size 58 M31 liner assembly, complete liner retaining pins, and surviving repaired chinstrap, this is a strong service worn example of a German WWII M42 helmet. The dents, finish loss, oxidation, decal wear, relic liner damage, dry rot, and taped chinstrap repair are all fully disclosed. It would fit especially well in a Heer headgear, M42 helmet, Eisenhüttenwerke Thale shell, or advanced German WWII collection.

More in German Helmets
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.

More 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.