{"product_id":"original-german-wwii-kriegsmarine-single-decal-m42-steel-helmet-shell-with-1940-dated-liner-band-stamped-ef64","title":"Original German WWII Kriegsmarine Single Decal M42 Steel Helmet Shell with 1940 Dated Liner Band, Stamped EF64","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is a very attractive original German WWII M42 steel helmet shell configured for Kriegsmarine Navy use, stamped \u003cstrong\u003eEF64\u003c\/strong\u003e for manufacture by \u003cem\u003eEmaillierwerke A.G. of Fulda\u003c\/em\u003e. The shell retains its distinctive dark navy blue, almost black textured exterior overpaint, approximately \u003cstrong\u003e75%\u003c\/strong\u003e of its gold Kriegsmarine eagle decal, all three liner retaining pins, and a surviving \u003cstrong\u003e1940\u003c\/strong\u003e dated Schuberth galvanized steel liner band. Kriegsmarine helmets are encountered far less frequently than comparable Heer and Luftwaffe examples, making the strong surviving decal and unusual dark finish especially appealing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe stamped sheet steel shell has been finished externally in a very dark navy blue, nearly black textured paint applied over the earlier \u003cem\u003ePanzergrau\u003c\/em\u003e armor gray finish. Wear and chipping reveal portions of the underlying \u003cem\u003ePanzergrau\u003c\/em\u003e, providing a particularly interesting layered appearance. The exterior shows honest service wear but is free from major dents or substantial areas of corrosion.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe interior retains the original \u003cem\u003ePanzergrau\u003c\/em\u003e finish well overall, although some oxidation is present in the inner crown.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe left side carries a Kriegsmarine gold national eagle decal with the closed wing design. We examined the decal closely and its coloration appears consistent with a Kriegsmarine example rather than a Heer decal that has simply yellowed with age. The surviving gold has the characteristic strong yellow tone, and chipped areas do not reveal an underlying silver color.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe decal remains approximately \u003cstrong\u003e75%\u003c\/strong\u003e intact, showing general wear and scattered chipping, including areas where the exterior overpaint has worn through to the original \u003cem\u003ePanzergrau\u003c\/em\u003e finish beneath.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe rear interior neck guard is lot number stamped:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e2018\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe left interior apron carries a faint manufacturer and shell size marking:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eE.F.64\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eEF\u003c\/strong\u003e code identifies \u003cem\u003eEmaillierwerke A.G.\u003c\/em\u003e of Fulda, Germany, while \u003cstrong\u003e64\u003c\/strong\u003e indicates the shell size.  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, and lot number \"2094\" on an EF64 marked helmet is also listed in the collector's helmet database as a Kriegsmarine helmet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll three liner retaining pins remain present and still carry the dark exterior overpaint. They secure the galvanized steel outer liner band, which is the only surviving portion of the original style M31 liner assembly. The leather liner itself is no longer present.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe left side of the liner band is marked:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e64 n. A. \/ 56\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis indicates a size \u003cstrong\u003e56\u003c\/strong\u003e liner assembly intended for a size \u003cstrong\u003e64\u003c\/strong\u003e helmet shell.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe opposite side is marked:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSCHUBERTH-WERKE K.-G.\u003cbr\u003eD. R. P.\u003cbr\u003e1940\u003cbr\u003eBRAUNSCHWEIG\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis identifies manufacture of the liner band by \u003cem\u003eSchuberth-Werke K.-G.\u003c\/em\u003e of Braunschweig in \u003cstrong\u003e1940\u003c\/strong\u003e. As the M42 helmet shell itself is a later wartime pattern, the earlier dated liner band may represent the wartime reuse of an existing liner component or a later period installation. Without additional provenance, we cannot determine exactly when the band was fitted to this shell.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere is no chinstrap installed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCondition overall is very good for a service used helmet shell. The dark textured Kriegsmarine overpaint is strongly retained, the shell remains free from major dents, and the gold eagle decal is still approximately \u003cstrong\u003e75%\u003c\/strong\u003e present. The missing leather liner and chinstrap, interior crown oxidation, and general exterior wear are fully disclosed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor the German WWII helmet or Kriegsmarine collector, this is a particularly interesting EF64 M42 with a highly distinctive dark Navy finish, strong surviving gold eagle decal, visible underlying \u003cem\u003ePanzergrau\u003c\/em\u003e paint, all three liner pins, and a clearly marked \u003cstrong\u003e1940\u003c\/strong\u003e Schuberth liner band. The combination gives the helmet considerable visual character and makes it a strong display piece for a Kriegsmarine or German steel helmet collection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe German Stahlhelm\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45997175439429,"sku":"ONAC25SD0420","price":595.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/7A3340C0-EDF0-4AE0-83D3-03833E200087.jpg?v=1792012658","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-german-wwii-kriegsmarine-single-decal-m42-steel-helmet-shell-with-1940-dated-liner-band-stamped-ef64","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}