{"product_id":"original-german-wwii-m40-single-decal-luftwaffe-helmet-with-1941-dated-55cm-liner-stamped-se62","title":"Original German WWII M40 Single Decal Luftwaffe Helmet with 1941 Dated 55cm Liner - Stamped SE62","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice all original example of a Model 1940 German WWII helmet with a single Luftwaffe Eagle decal and 1941 dated size 55cm liner. This stamped sheet steel construction helmet still retains much 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 to the paint and some worked in dirt, as well a lot of scratches and overall wear from service. It also looks like the helmet was at one time painted white for winter camouflage, which was then later cleaned away, still visible where the original paint was scratched.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOverall the paint is probably retained at about 60%, and has a great \"been there\" look, with a lot of the paint missing on the crown, also showing some light denting on the very top. The interior paint is retained a bit better, however there is scattered oxidation on the interior surface near the rim, and some pink paint on the inner crown. The original Luftwaffe eagle decal is still retained at about 60%, showing a lovely aged toned color, with overall light chipping due to the textured surface. This is really a nice looking decal, with a lovely patina!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe reverse, interior, neck guard apron is heat lot number stamped \u003cstrong\u003e9987\u003c\/strong\u003e and the interior, left side, apron has the stamped manufacturer's code and size, \u003cstrong\u003eSE62 \u003c\/strong\u003eindicating that it was manufactured by \u003cem\u003eSächsische Emaillier und Stanzwerke A.G.\u003c\/em\u003e of Lauter, Germany. Size 62 is a nice smaller size that can accommodate liners from 54cm to 55cm or US 6 3\/4 to 6 5\/8.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll three original liner retaining pins are intact and in good condition, all retaining most of the original paint, with two showing just a bit of wear through. The interior of the helmet still has its original leather liner with all 8 fingers fully intact, and the original top tie string still in place. The leather is overall still supple, however it does show wear and staining from use, with some splitting around the rim. The outer side of the galvanized steel liner band is marked \u003cstrong\u003e62 n.A \/ 55\u003c\/strong\u003e, indicating that it is a size 55 liner for a size 62 shell. The right side displays the full manufacture information, as well as a date:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eB. \u0026amp; C.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBERLIN\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e1941\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis liner was made by Biedermann \u0026amp; Czarnikow, a German company who later moved operations to Łódź in occupied Poland to take advantage of the slave labor in the ghetto located there. NSDAP authorities renamed Łódź to Litzmannstadt in honor of the German General Karl Litzmann who had captured the city in the previous World War. This is exactly the right period and type of liner for this helmet, and we see no evidence that it was ever changed out.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOverall an very good condition genuine complete M40 Single Decal Luftwaffe helmet, with a patina that is impossible to duplicate! This is an item that will only continue to appreciate in value over time.\u003cbr\u003e\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":42299146272837,"sku":"ONSV24JSC036","price":795.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONSV24JSC036__05.jpg?v=1737588877","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-german-wwii-m40-single-decal-luftwaffe-helmet-with-1941-dated-55cm-liner-stamped-se62","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}