{"product_id":"original-german-wwii-luftwaffe-single-decal-m40-helmet-shell-with-liner-remnant-stamped-q64","title":"Original German WWII Luftwaffe Single Decal M40 Helmet Shell with Liner Remnant - Stamped Q64","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice original service used example of a Model 1940 German WWII helmet shell, with a single Luftwaffe Eagle decal and and a geat look. This stamped sheet steel construction helmet still retains most of the original lightly textured Luftwaffe \u003cem\u003eFliegerblau\u003c\/em\u003e (flyer's blue) paint, which utilized aluminum oxide as a texturing agent. There is scuffing and some scratches from service, as well as overall wear and areas of oxidation visible where the paint has flaked away. The smooth interior paint is better retained, showing just a bit of light oxidation. The original Luftwaffe eagle decal is still retained at about 90%, showing a lovely aged toned color due to the enamel top coat yellowing with age. This is really a fantastic decal, and we rarely see them this good!\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe reverse, interior, neck guard apron is serial number stamped \u003cstrong\u003e1N179 \u003c\/strong\u003eand the interior, left side, apron has the stamped manufacturer's code and size, \u003cstrong\u003eQ64\u003c\/strong\u003e indicating that it was manufactured by \u003cem\u003eF.W. Quist G.m.b.H.\u003c\/em\u003e in the German city of Esslingen. Size 64 is a nice smaller 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll three original liner retaining pins are intact and in good condition, retaining their original blue paint well. They are not textured like the shell, and we assume they were pre-painted before installation. Inside the helmet are the remnants of an original later production liner, with a galvanized steel band, which unfortunately has tin \"whisker\" style oxidation, so we cannot read the original markings. It still has the original liner band with the felt padding, but there are only a few small pieces of the original leather still attached on the outside if the inner band. The original chinstrap is completely missing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOverall an very good condition genuine M40 Single Decal Luftwaffe helmet shell, with a patina that is impossible to duplicate! 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\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","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43272490745925,"sku":"ONSV25MDF123","price":595.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONSV25MDF123__05.jpg?v=1754338526","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-german-wwii-luftwaffe-single-decal-m40-helmet-shell-with-liner-remnant-stamped-q64","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}