Original Item: Only One Available. This is an original German WWII Luftwaffe single decal M40 helmet manufactured by F. W. Quist of Esslingen, shell marked Q64 and lot numbered DN186. It retains nearly all of its original lightly textured Fliegerblau Flyer’s Blue finish, an exceptionally well preserved 2nd Pattern Luftwaffe eagle decal, and a 1942 dated size 57 M31 liner.

The stamped sheet steel shell retains almost all of its original lightly textured Luftwaffe Fliegerblau finish. The paint shows only light storage wear overall, with localized oxidation around the left ventilation hole. There is very little exterior wear consistent with prolonged field use. The interior paint is also extremely well retained. A small area of finish loss and oxidation is present in the center of the dome, but the remainder remains notably clean.

The original 2nd Pattern Luftwaffe eagle decal is nearly complete and presents extremely well. It shows only light staining associated with age and oxidation. The clear lacquer top coat remains readily visible around the perimeter of the decal.

The reverse, interior, neck guard apron is serial number stamped DN186 and the interior, left side, apron has the stamped manufacturer's code and size, Q64 indicating that it was manufactured by F.W. Quist G.m.b.H. 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. "DN" is a known prefix observed on Quist helmets made during the war.

All three original liner retaining pins remain intact and retain their textured exterior paint to a very high degree. The helmet retains its correct M31 liner with all eight leather fingers intact, together with the top tie cord. The leather remains in excellent condition with very little apparent wear and retains much of its natural color.

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

64 n.A. / 57

indicating a size 57 liner fitted to a size 64 shell. The leather liner itself is also stamped:

57

The right side of the liner band carries the manufacturer's information:

SCHUBERTH-WERKE K.-G.
D. R. P.
1942
BRAUNSCHWEIG

These markings remain identifiable, although some portions are difficult to read because of bending in the liner band and oxidation to the galvanized surface.

Overall condition is excellent. The shell retains an unusually high percentage of its original textured Fliegerblau finish, the Luftwaffe eagle decal is nearly complete with visible lacquer, and the 1942 dated size 57 M31 liner remains exceptionally well preserved. The localized oxidation around the left vent, small oxidized area inside the dome, and minor liner band oxidation are all fully disclosed.

With its Q64 Quist shell, DN186 lot number, nearly complete Luftwaffe eagle decal, outstanding original textured finish, intact liner pins, and 1942 dated Schuberth-Werke size 57 M31 liner, this is a particularly strong example of an original Luftwaffe single decal M40 helmet. It would display especially well in a Luftwaffe combat helmet, Quist manufactured helmet, M40 helmet, 1942 dated field equipment, or advanced German WWII headgear collection.

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.

The Luftwaffe pattern national eagle was originally introduced for wear by Fliegerschaft, (Pilot Base), personnel of the DLV, Deutscher Luftsportsverband, (German Air Sports Association), the clandestine, civilian, forerunner of the Luftwaffe on August 18TH 1934, and adopted for wear by the Luftwaffe on March 1ST 1935 along with the national tri-color shield for wear on the helmet.

The first pattern national eagle was utilized until a modified second pattern eagle was introduced in late 1936 or early 1937. Regulations of June 12TH 1940 discontinued the use of the national tri-color decal and further regulations of August 28TH 1943 abolished the national eagle decal and dictated that it was also to be removed from all helmets although the directives were not completely adhered to.