Item:
ONAC24A039

Original German WWII M40 Refurbished WWII Operation Market Garden 9th SS Panzer "Hohenstaufen" Helmet - Stamped EF66

Item Description

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 stamped with lot number 105 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 Operation Market Garden 9th SS Panzer Division "Hohenstaufen" Helmet:

- Formed in 1942 built around SSLAH Veterans, the 9th SS Division “Hohenstaufen” saw its first action on the Russian Front in Poland in 1944, and in March 1944 formed part of the II SS PanzerKorp in Russia.

- The unit was quickly pulled west to France when the Allies landed in Normandy in June 1944.

- In 1944 Montgomery conceived a plan, known as “Operation Market Garden”, to leapfrog across Holland capturing key bridges with Airborne Units and shorten the war. After the operation commenced in mid September 1944, the Eindhoven and Nijmegen bridges were captured quickly, however the Bridge at Arnhem proved to be “A Bridge Too Far".

- Although Allied Intelligence was tipped off by French Partisans, the information was not utilized by British Intelligence and the British Paratroopers landed in the midst of a very powerful German Armored force.

- At the time, the 9th SS Panzer division was refitting after its escape from the Falaise pocket. The brown camouflage scheme approximates the change to fall foliage. Additionally, it has been fitted with chicken wire over the entire shell, allowing additional foliage to be attached, increasing the camouflage profile.

- The chickenwire on this example exactly replicates the same European wire used during much of the war. 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 helmet represents those men of the 9th SS Panzer who stopped the British Airborne at the bridge at Arnhem!

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.

  • This product is available for international shipping. Shipping not available to: Australia, France, or Germany
  • Not eligible for payment with Paypal or Amazon

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