{"product_id":"original-german-wwii-m42-heer-army-dome-stamped-helmet-with-1943-dated-56cm-liner-amp-chinstrap-ef64-lot-5511","title":"Original German WWII M42 Heer Army Dome Stamped Helmet with 1943 Dated 56cm Liner \u0026amp; Chinstrap - EF64, Lot 5511","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal 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 \u003cem\u003ePanzergrau\u003c\/em\u003e finish, its original M31 leather liner, a complete period chinstrap, and, as an added bonus, a still-visible interior dome acceptance stamp.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe stamped sheet-steel shell retains approximately \u003cstrong\u003e50% of its original finish\u003c\/strong\u003e. 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe underside of the rear skirt is stamped:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEF64\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eover:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e5511\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eEF\u003c\/strong\u003e manufacturer code identifies \u003cem\u003eEmaillierwerke AG of Fulda\u003c\/em\u003e, while the \u003cstrong\u003e64\u003c\/strong\u003e indicates the shell size. The lower number is the heat lot or production lot number.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA size 64 shell was intended for medium-size liners and, in this case, is fitted with the correct size 56 liner.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOf particular interest is the surviving \u003cstrong\u003edome stamp\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe liner shows only limited damage, with a small amount of tearing around the upper portions and no major staining or losses.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe galvanized steel liner band is marked:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e64 n.A. \/ 56\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003econfirming a size 56 liner fitted to a size 64 shell.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe opposite side of the liner band is clearly marked:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSCHUBERTH - WERK K.-G.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eD.R.P.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e1943\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBRAUNSCHWEIG\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis provides a clear 1943 date for the liner assembly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe helmet also retains a complete original chinstrap with the correct steel buckle and attachment studs. The longer strap still has all \u003cstrong\u003e13 adjustment holes\u003c\/strong\u003e, and the buckle remains fully functional.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe end of the strap carries an RBNr. marking that appears to read:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e0\/0494\/0008\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe leather shows some age-related dryness but remains reasonably supple.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBy 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlthough 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOverall, 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA 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.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44841962176581,"sku":"ONJR24SUHA36","price":650.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONJR24SUHA36.jpg?v=1775251044","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-german-wwii-m42-heer-army-dome-stamped-helmet-with-1943-dated-56cm-liner-amp-chinstrap-ef64-lot-5511","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}