Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very interesting late war German Model 42 Steel helmet, as was issued to all branches of the Wehrmacht. It did have a single decal, but it was removed / sanitized during the post war period, so we are not able to tell what branch it was issued to. Since it has the remnants of a shield on the left side, it was either for the Heer Army or Kriegsmarine Navy. However, it has been fitted with a fantastic Eichenlaubmuster (Oak leaf A Pattern) reversible camouflage cover, made during the post war period using original WWII production reversible fabric. The design and hardware are identical to the WWII production, which are virtually impossible to find at any reasonable price.

The cover shows fading and wear consistent with service, but no major tears or other damage. There is a bit less fading under the fabric loops, so it was definitely exposed to light and/or the elements for some amount of time. It attaches easily to the helmet, and can be reversed using the characteristic hooks, which have a pivot that allows them to attach using either side. Really a great example that would make a lovely addition to any German WWII collection.

The helmet itself is in very good shape, showing the original paint very well. The texture of the steel, which is somewhat rough, can be seen in the paint, so it does not look to have been repainted at any time. The rear interior of the apron has a stamped manufacturer's code and size: ckl68 over heat lot 3911, indicating it was manufactured by Eisenhüttenwerk AG of Thale, located in the Harz district in Saxony, Germany. Towards the end of the war, the ET marking was discontinued in favor of three letter code ckl, and moved the marking under the rear skirt. Size 68 is a rare extra large size that can accommodate liners from 60cm to 61cm or US 7 1/2 to 7 5/8. Size 68 shells are the hardest to find and are therefore the most valuable to a collector.

ET changed manufacturer code from ET to CKL, which occurred during final production of the M40 and initial production of the M42 models. M42s can be found with ET stamps and M40s with ckl stamps. The change to an ordnance code (ckl) was to protect the identity and location of the manufacturer from the Allies. Notice the lot number 3911. The lot number indicates the particular batch of sheet steel that was used when a quantity of helmet shells were produced. This was accomplished through several steps of press-forming or hot-stamping the shells. The lot number serves as a control number for the manufacturer and as an extra stamp of approval. Late in the war these markings were often faintly or unevenly stamped at an angle, as with this example.

All three original liner retaining pins are present, which still have a good amount of paint present. Two look to be original to the helmet, while one has been replaced, with paint that is not matching. The interior of the helmet still has the original M31 leather liner present, and all eight fingers are present and supple, with the original top tie still installed. There is not any major damage that we can see, just a bit of splitting over the forehead area. The late war issue galvanized steel liner band is marked on the left outer side with 68 nA / 61, indicating that the liner is a size 61, intended for a 68 shell. The right side displays the full manufacture information, as well as a date:

There is a very nice post war chinstrap fitted to the liner, which has a nickel plated steel buckle with a roller, definitely not the style used during WWII. It is also attached using split pin rivets through the leather around the loops.

This is a great opportunity to pick up a WWII helmet with an attached Waffen SS style camouflage helmet cover, made during the post war period from original WWII fabric. This is the first time we have had one of these, and it is unlikely we'll see another anytime soon!

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.