Untouched and complete, as found. This is destined to be a museum piece. This is the M40 model Stahlhelm, with original brown leather liner and chin strap. The shell is a size 64, manufactured by “NS” (Vereinigte Deutsche Nickelwerke of Schwerte, near Dortmund, Germany) and with a heat number D162, both numbers are clearly stamped into the shell skirt, in the usual places. The paintwork on the external shell is original, and about 50% of the original field grey is still intact. There is no pitting, with just minor superficial surface rust where the paint has worn away. There are signs of the original left-sided Wehrmacht eagle decal (20-25% remaining). There is a superb patina on the shell overall, especially on the underside of the skirt and brim, where virtually all of the original paint remains. The rear of the skirt has been personalised with the name “Gansterer”, handwritten at the time in white paint, which I have researched and found to be an Austrian family name. The leather liner could possibly be pigskin? Is supple and intact, with eight, five-holed fingers, fastened with a non-issued piece of string. I have tried to look on the underside of the fingers to see any ink stamps etc, but cannot see any. Likewise, I have looked for marks on the metal liner headband, but did not want to be too forceful in case I distorted the band. All I was able to ascertain was that the three fixing split pins are original and have never been removed during the lifetime of this helmet. The left-sided pin is very slightly loose. The chinstrap is a little less supple, but has no cracks or splits, and can fully support the weight of the helmet. It is leather, brown on one side and black the other, and has a one-piece buckle, probably made of aluminium, which suggests a late-war reissue. I have had this particular helmet in my personal collection for almost 30 years, having obtained it via a house clearance (along with other original Wehrmacht field equipment items belonging to the same person) in Ried im Innkreis, Austria in 1995. This is a completely original WW2 Stahlhelm, NOT one of those dodgy restored relic helmets from Ukraine, reconstructed from “composite” parts. There is a sensible reserve on the helmet, which is priced to sell. If you have any questions, or require further detailed photographs, then please do not hesitate to contact me. Please see the photographs, which form an intrinsic part of the description. Please see my other military items from my collection coming soon, including medals, and helmets, especially a 1930s German Police steel helmet, original WW1 British “Brodie” helmets, and some interesting USA M1917 helmets from WW1.
