Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice all-original example of a German WWII Model 42 steel helmet as issued to the Wehrmacht Heer, or Army. The helmet retains a substantial amount of its original textured Panzergrau finish, its original M31 leather liner, a complete period chinstrap, and, as an added bonus, a still-visible interior dome acceptance stamp.

The stamped sheet-steel shell retains approximately 50% of its original finish. The gray paint has the lightly textured surface commonly associated with the use of aluminum oxide in the coating. There is overall service wear, with scratches, finish loss, and light oxidation, particularly across the crown where much of the original paint has worn away. The exterior has the appearance of a helmet that saw genuine field use and exposure to the elements.

There is no decal applied to the shell. This is entirely appropriate for a later-war M42, as helmet decal application was increasingly curtailed and eventually eliminated as the war progressed and production was simplified.

The underside of the rear skirt is stamped:

EF64

over:

5511

The EF manufacturer code identifies Emaillierwerke AG of Fulda, while the 64 indicates the shell size. The lower number is the heat lot or production lot number.

A size 64 shell was intended for medium-size liners and, in this case, is fitted with the correct size 56 liner.

Of particular interest is the surviving dome stamp inside the crown. These factory or inspection stamps are frequently lost through wear, rust, repainting, or cleaning, so their survival is a desirable detail. Portions of the wording remain visible, although not enough can be clearly read to determine the full text or a date.

All three original liner retaining pins remain present. They appear to have been painted before installation, as the visible heads have a smoother finish than the surrounding textured shell. The front right pin has lost most of its paint, while the other two retain considerably more.

The original M31 leather liner remains installed and is in very good condition. All eight leather fingers are present and remain supple. The original crown tie is also retained, although it is currently untied.

The liner shows only limited damage, with a small amount of tearing around the upper portions and no major staining or losses.

The galvanized steel liner band is marked:

64 n.A. / 56

confirming a size 56 liner fitted to a size 64 shell.

The opposite side of the liner band is clearly marked:

SCHUBERTH - WERK K.-G.
D.R.P.
1943
BRAUNSCHWEIG

This provides a clear 1943 date for the liner assembly.

The helmet also retains a complete original chinstrap with the correct steel buckle and attachment studs. The longer strap still has all 13 adjustment holes, and the buckle remains fully functional.

The end of the strap carries an RBNr. marking that appears to read:

0/0494/0008

The leather shows some age-related dryness but remains reasonably supple.

The German M42 represented the final major wartime simplification of the basic Stahlhelm design. The M35 had introduced the more compact form, rolled edge, and improved liner system, while the M40 simplified production by stamping the ventilation holes directly into the shell rather than using separate vent fittings.

By 1942, the demands of wartime production led to another simplification. The rolled lower edge was eliminated, leaving the characteristic raw, slightly flared rim associated with the M42. This reduced manufacturing time and material usage while preserving the helmet's basic protective qualities.

Although collectors today distinguish between the M35, M40, and M42, German wartime documentation often treated these as evolutions of the same basic helmet rather than entirely separate models.

Overall, this is a very appealing and honest service-used M42 Heer helmet. The matching size relationship between shell and liner, 1943-dated Schuberth liner band, complete chinstrap, EF64 shell marking, visible lot number, and surviving dome stamp all add significantly to its desirability.

A very solid example of a genuine German WWII combat helmet that has not been over-cleaned or excessively restored, retaining the kind of wear and patina collectors generally prefer to see on an original field-used piece.