Original Item: One-of-a-kind. This is a fine example of totally original Model M40 M-1940 German WW2 large size 66 helmet shell, refurbished by a master German camouflage restorer. The shell is stamped E.F.66, indicating that Emaillierwerke AG, of Fulda, Germany manufactured it. It is also stamped with lot number 22051 under the rear skirt. Size 66 is a nice large size that can accommodate liners from 58cm to 59cm or US 7 1/4 to 7 3/8. Size 66 shells are much harder to find and are therefore more valuable to a collector.

Notable history of the WWII SS Battle of Leningrad Unique Winter Camouflage M40 Helmet:-

- On September 8th 1941 Army Group North severed the last road in or out of Leningrad which began a siege that lasted 872 days.

- Formerly known as St Petersburg , the name change to "Leningrad" made it a symbol of the Communist party revolution in 1918 in Russia honoring Lenin, the founder of Communist Russia.

- Army Group North consisted of 16th Army, 18th Army, and the 4th panzer group, which contained the SS Totenkopf and SS Polizei Divisions. It was at first commanded by Generalfeldmarschall Wilhelm Ritter von Leeb when the Siege on Leningrad began, though he would be replaced by Generalfeldmarschall Georg von Küchler after disagreeing with the High command regarding strategy.

- The almost 4 years of siege was marked by striking cold winters, and the soldiers employed a large number of different "winter camouflage" types on their helmets. This example has the popular "textured" style, with a mixture of sand and other material applied to the shell, which was then painted white. Additionally, it has been fitted with a chicken wire "half basket", allowing additional foliage to be attached, increasing the camouflage profile.

- The chickenwire 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.

- This helmet represents those worn by SS personnel during the winters of 1943-1944.

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.