Original Item: One-of-a-kind. This is a fine example of totally original Model M40 M-1940 German WW2 large size 66 helmet shell, refurbished by a master German camouflage restorer. The shell is stamped E.F.66, indicating that Emaillierwerke AG, of Fulda, Germany manufactured it. It is also faintly stamped with lot number ???36 under the rear skirt. Size 66 is a nice large size that can accommodate liners from 58cm to 59cm or US 7 1/4 to 7 3/8. Size 66 shells are much harder to find and are therefore more valuable to a collector.

Notable history of the WWII M40 Refurbished 82nd Airborne Division Souvenir Camouflage Chicken Wire Helmet:

- On June 6, 1944 the Allies invaded Europe starting on the beaches at Normandy France. The green camouflage matches the style used in the Summer foliage, and this example has had a heavy wire put around the shell, with chicken wire strung across the crown in the "half-basket" style. This allowed additional items such as fabric and foliage to be attached, improving the camouflage profile. As with the originals, any decals present were painted over.

- The chickenwire on this example is exactly replicates the same European wire found in Normandy in 1944. The twist in the wire varies by country and by time. So many helmets out there use wire that is not correct for the period.

- This represents a German Camouflage Helmet captured by Members of the 82nd Airborne "All American" Division, decorated on the front with their distinctive unit insignia. It was common for soldiers to personalize "bring back" helmets with their unit insignia.

- The helmet is also marked with SICILY, ANZIO, ITALY, BASTOGNE, BERLIN, NIJMEGEN, and ARDENNES, locations liberated / taken with the help of the 82nd Airborne Division was in during WWII. It is also marked with ELBE and RUHR, two rivers they had to cross.

- The 82nd Airborne "All American" Division is one of the most well known and famous of all divisions of the U.S. Army, and the first to be officially designated an "Airborne" division. During WWII they were first deployed to Sicily, and then to Italy, before taking part in the Normandy invasion in 1944. They took part in Operation Market Garden as well as the Battle of the Bulge. 

What does refurbished mean? While the shell is 100% genuine WWII manufacture, we have tasked, perhaps the very best German Helmet restorer in the USA, to customize this helmet. Every detail is hand done, with the finest materials including a hand painted shell, with a hand hand aged high quality reproduction liner. Please know that the paint, liner and chinstrap, while they look totally original are all new and the helmet has been refurbished to look as if it was picked up off the battlefield by a USGI and brought home as a war trophy.

This helmet is one-of-a-kind there will never be one exactly like it, making it a true collectors piece that will do nothing but appreciate in value in the coming years. This is a rare opportunity to own a genuine WWII German Helmet for a fraction of the cost of one with original camouflage paint.