Original German WWII M40 Refurbished 16th SS Division at Anzio Italian Front Camouflage Chicken Wire 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 7984 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 16th SS Division at Anzio Italian Front Camouflage Helmet:

– By 1944 the Wehrmacht was retreating on the East and Western Fronts. In Italy in the south, a Skillful Defense by hardened Afrikakorp survivors, Fallschirmjagers, and SS units held back the Allies as they moved up the Italian “Boot”. They made landings up the western coast in many areas, however progress was slow.

– The Battle of Anzio was a battle of the Italian Campaign of World War II that commenced January 22, 1944. The battle began with the Allied amphibious landing known as Operation Shingle, and to counter this the 16th SS Panzergrenadier Division “Reichsführer-SS” was sent to the beachhead to contain the landings.

– The Italian landscape was mountains and valleys very suitable for defense, and Kesselring created a series of defensive lines that the Allies smashed against with little success. The scenery had a lot less tan than in southern Italy, and new camouflage patterns were developed to compensate, using more browns and olive greens, such as seen on this helmet. 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.

– In the end, the Italian front never broke but surrendered voluntarily days before the official end of the war when it was evident that all was lost.

This helmet worn by those SS units that served to the end in Italy undefeated.

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.