Original Item: One-of-a-kind. This is a fine example of totally original Model M40 M-1940 German WW2 medium size 64 helmet shell, refurbished by a master German camouflage restorer. The shell is stamped E.F.64, indicating that Emaillierwerke AG, of Fulda, Germany manufactured it. It is also stamped with lot number 22440 under the rear skirt. 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.

Notable History of the Deutsches Afrikakorp DAK Tunisia Chicken Wire Camouflage Helmet:

- During the North Africa campaign, the Deutsches Afrika Korps adopted dunkelgelb (dark yellow) tropical tan as the basis for their camouflage patterns. They did utilize some olive green colors, but the helmets, vehicles, and many other items, it was the color of choice. After the Axis Powers Germany and Italy were defeated in the Western Africa Campaign, they moved back to Tunisia, which had been a French protectorate prior to WWII, and as such as an ally.

- To compensate for the Mediterranean climate of Tunisia, which had much more greenery than much of North Africa, the camouflage patterns needed to be updated for the new environment. This involved the addition of green to the mix, which was applied over the tropical tan already present. This helmet has been painted to replicate some of the patterns seen in Tunisia in early 1943, before the Allies surrounded and captured the remainder of the DAK. The helmet has also had heavy wire put around the shell, with chicken wire strung across the crown in the "half-basket" style. This allowed additional items such as fabric and foliage to be attached, improving the camouflage profile. As with the originals, any decals present were painted over.

- The chicken wire on this example exactly replicates the same European wire used during much of the war. The twist in the wire varies by country and by time. So many helmets out there use wire that is not correct for the period.

What does refurbished mean? While the shell is 100% genuine WWII manufacture, we have tasked, perhaps the very best German Helmet restorer in the USA, to customize this helmet. Every detail is hand done, with the finest materials including a hand painted shell, with a hand hand aged high quality reproduction liner. Please know that the paint, liner and chinstrap, while they look totally original are all new and the helmet has been refurbished to look as if it was picked up off the battlefield by a USGI and brought home as a war trophy.

This helmet is one-of-a-kind there will never be one exactly like it, making it a true collectors piece that will do nothing but appreciate in value in the coming years. This is a rare opportunity to own a genuine WWII German Helmet for a fraction of the cost of one with original camouflage paint.