Original Item: Only One Available. This is a lovely all original example of a German Model 42 Steel helmet, as issued to the Wehrmacht Heer (army). This stamped sheet steel construction helmet retains a good amount of the original panzergrau (armored gray) paint, which is lightly textured due to the use of aluminum oxide. It shows wear and scratches, particularly at the top, which has lost a good amount of the original finish, allowing the steel to lightly oxidize. We would say that the finish is retained at about 50%. There is no decal affixed to the shell, as late in the war they were often omitted due to supply and time constraints, especially late in the war. This helmet looks to have seen moderate use during the war, and was well cared for. The oxidation and paint loss to the exterior suggests that it was used in wet conditions.

On the under side of the rear skirt, the shell has a stamped manufacturer's code and size EF64 over heat lot 5511, indicating it was manufactured by Emaillierwerke AG, of Fulda, Germany. Later in the war, all markings were moved to the rear of the shell, shortly before the change to 3 letter codes by other makers, however Emaillierwerke AG stopped using "EF". Size 64 is a nice medium size that can accommodate liners from 56cm to 57cm or US 7 to 7 1/8. Size 64 shells are harder to find and are therefore more valuable to a collector. As a real treat, there is still a visible "Dome Stamp" on the inside of the shell, which are rarely present. We can make out some of the text, but not all, and were not able to locate at date in the stamping.

All three original liner retaining pins are present, and look to be the type that were painted prior to installation, as they all have smooth paint on the tops. The front right pin is missing most of the paint, while the other two retain almost all of it. The interior of the helmet still has the original M31 leather liner present, and all eight fingers are present and supple, with the top tie still present, though it is not tied at present. The leather is in great shape, showing just a bit of tearing around the top, and no major damage or staining. The side of the galvanized steel liner band is marked 64 n.A. / 56, indicating that this is a size 56 liner for a size 64 shell. The right side displays the full manufacture information, as well as a date:

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

The helmet still retains an original complete chinstrap, with the correct steel buckle and attachment studs. The longer section still has all 13 adjustment holes present, and the buckle is fully functional. There is a an RBNr. marking on the longer end, which looks to read 0/0494/0008. The leather is a bit dried out, but still supple.

Overall a very nice genuine German M42 helmet, complete with a liner and complete chinstrap. This is an item that will only continue to appreciate in value over time.

The 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.

These 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.

In 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.

The 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.

The Army's Supreme Command officially accepted the new helmet on June 25, 1935 and it was intended to replace all other helmets in service.

The 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 was given by collectors.

In 1942, Due to wartime demands, the M-42 design was put into production because it was significantly quicker to manufacture. The rolled edge of the M-35 shell was eliminated, creating an unfinished edge along the rim. This edge flared out slightly, along the base of the skirt. The elimination of the rolled edge expedited the manufacturing process and reduced the amount of metal used in each helmet, without sacrificing protection.