Original German WWII Army Heer M40 Single Decal Steel Helmet with Liner – Size 62 Shell Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice all original example of a German WWII M40 helmet, issued to the Heer (Army). This stamped sheet steel construction helmet retains much of its original lightly field gray paint but does show some chipping, scratches, and rust, typical of a helmet that was used in the field. It also looks like the entire helmet exterior paint was at one time lightly lacquered, which is what gives it the somewhat shiny finish. We assume this was done during the war, as there are areas chipped away.  The left side of the helmet features a Heer eagle decal, which is retained about 75%, with damage from wear and rust, with some scratches and small chips. However it still has a lovely metallic sheen.

The interior of the helmet did not fair as well, and much of the interior surface has bubbled up due to rust, with some more serious rust towards the crown. The leather liner however is still mostly intact, so we do not believe it was immersed in water. It may just have been used or stored in an area with a large amount of moisture for some time.

The reverse, interior, neck guard apron is batch number stamped C819, however due to oxidation of the interior paint, we cannot make out the makers mark or the size. The exterior of the shell measures 63cm, positively identifying this as a size 62 shell. This is a nice smaller size that can accommodate liners from 54cm to 55cm or US 6 3/4 to 6 5/8.

All three liner retaining pins are intact, and still have almost all of the original paint present. The interior of the helmet still has the original M31 leather liner with all eight of its fingers intact, and a replacement top tie. The oxidation to the exterior of the liner band has made it impossible to see the size and maker marks, but we believe it is a 54cm liner, due to the space between the inner and outer bands. The leather is mostly supple, though there are some areas of wear and dry rot. The chin strap is unfortunately mostly missing, with about 3 inches of the longer side remaining.

Overall a very nice 100% genuine M40 Single Decal Heer Army helmet, with a great service worn look! M40 helmets of this quality are always the hard 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.

More than 1 million M1935 helmets were manufactured in the first two years after its introduction, and millions more were produced until 1940 when the basic design and production methods were changed, replacing the multi-piece riveted vent with one stamped directly into the steel. Later, in 1942 the rolled steel rim was removed from the pattern to further expedite production.