Original German WWII M40 Refurbished 12th SS Panzer HJ at Caan & Falaise Chicken Wire Camouflage Helmet – Stamped EF66 Original Items

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 5085 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.

History of the WWII M40 12th SS Panzer HJ at Caan & Falaise SS Helmet:

– Made up of former HJ, this unit was first deployed 7 June 1944.
– Its legend was created at Caan France during the Normandy D-Day invasion, when they held up the British a month which jeopardized the success of the whole invasion.
– Once dislodged it held open the Falaise Pocket and then was pulled to refit.
– The unit once again saw action in the famous Ardennes (Battle of the Bulge).
– These young troopers were known by the Allies as fierce fighters and this helmet shows the wear and tear of the last 11 months of the war.
– During this time they decorated their helmets with many varieties of camouflage, often using chicken wire to increase the camouflage profile, and allow the attachment of plant material.

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.