Original German WWII Complete M42 Named Army Heer Helmet – stamped ckl64 Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice all original example of a German Model 42 Steel helmet, as issued to the Wehrmacht Heer (army). This stamped sheet steel construction helmet retains about 80% of its original paint, with overall wear and oxidation consistent with use in service. There are some areas where the paint was scuffed or scraped down to the steel, and this helmet also never had a decal applied. This is not uncommon with late war helmets, as sometimes there were not decals available, and the factories needed to make helmets as fast as they could.

The shell is stamped ckl 64 indication it was manufactured by Eisenhüttenwerke plant in Thale, Germany with batch number 5681 stamped into the rear apron. 64 Is a nice large size that can accommodate liners from 56cm to 59cm or US 7 to 7 3/8. Size 64 shells are always hard to find and are therefore more 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 5681. 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.

All three liner retaining pins are intact, with the exterior paint well retained on all. The interior of the helmet still has the original M31 leather liner, complete with all 8 fingers with top adjustment string in great condition. The initials W.G. can be seen on the right side of the liner by the chinstrap. Due to corrosion on the steel liner band, we are not able to read any of the original manufacture information.

The chinstrap is intact, with the correct buckle and galvanized steel securing studs. The maker mark is still visible and stamped into the leather, the markings are: R. LARSEN / BERLIN / 1942.

Overall a nice condition genuine Service Worn M42 complete and named helmet! 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.