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 much of the original panzergrau (armored gray) paint, which is lightly textured due to the use of aluminum oxide. It shows some wear and scratches, particularly at the top, but we do not see any major areas of missing paint or oxidation. We do however see irregularities in the surface on the inside and outside from the original steel. 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 light to moderate use during the war, and was well cared for.

On the under side of the rear skirt, the shell has a stamped manufacturer's code and size EF64 over heat lot 3654, 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.

All three original liner retaining pins are present, still retaining almost all of the textured paint on their tops, with just a small chip on one. 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 installed, though it may be a replacement. There is some dry rot and splitting around the bottom of the leather, and some small tears in the forehead area, but otherwise it is very nice. 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:

B. & C.
LITZMANNSTADT
1943

This liner was made by Biedermann & Czarnikow, a German company who 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.

The helmet still retains an original complete chinstrap, with the correct steel buckle and attachment studs. The leather is a bit stretched out and also now a bit stiff, however all 13 adjustment holes are still present on the longer portion, and the buckle is functional as well.

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.