Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice all original example of a late war German Model 42 Steel helmet. This stamped sheet steel construction helmet retains about 75% of its original lightly textured paint, with wear and oxidation from service. We cannot feel any major dents, but the lightly textured panzergrau (armor gray) paint definitely shows wear, especially on the top of the helmet, which has allowed the steel to oxidize. The interior paint is in much better shape, though it does show some wear around the rim. The left side of the helmet features a Heer eagle decal, which is retained about 75%, with a section of the eagle's chest scuffed through, and overall wear.

The rear interior of the apron has a stamped manufacturer's code and size: NS64, over lot number ?334, indicating it was manufactured by Vereinigte Deutsche Nikelwerke, of Schwerte, Germany in size 64. These markings were stamped somewhat poorly, typical of late war production. This is a nice medium size shell, and can accommodate size 56 and 57 liners. Size 64 shells are harder to find and are therefore more valuable to a collector. There is also a faint "Dome Stamp" in the center of the crown, though we are unfortunately unable to read it.

All three liner retaining pins are intact, and they retain the original paint to a varying degree. The interior of the helmet still has the original M31 leather liner with all eight of its fingers intact, showing only light wear and staining. The original top tie is still present, and in good shape. The liner band is aluminum, with square steel chin strap loops attached to reinforced sides. This is the last pattern before the move to galvanized steel bands. The left exterior of the liner band is marked 64 n. A. / 57, indicating that it is a size 57 liner for a size 64 shell. The right side has the full maker information clearly stamped:

Metall-Lederverarbeitung W.Z.
1943
Bln.- Ch'burg 5

This indicates production by the metal and leather working company Werner Zahn, based in Berlin - Charlottenburg, in the year 1943, which fits right into the late war period, though this is definitely VERY late for an aluminum band liner. It's possible that they ran short of steel and had to go back to aluminum for a time.

The chinstrap is present, and is the correct later war version with a steel buckle and attachment studs. The longer side still has all thirteen adjustment holes, and the leather is in relatively good condition, though it does show damage from wear and age. There is a faint maker mark on the end, which we are not able to read accurately.

Overall a very nice late-war M42 Single Decal Heer Army helmet, completely correct! M42 helmets of this quality are always the hardest to find on the market. 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 were given by collectors.

The last wartime upgrade to the standard helmet took place on 6 July 1942 at the request of the Army High Command. The rolled edge found on M1935 and M1940 helmets was discontinued as a measure of economy. On 1 August 1942 the first M1942 helmets were placed into production, and this was the model produced until late in the war, when most factories were captured or stood idle due to material shortages.