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 50 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 Kursk "Watermelon" Camouflage Helmet:

- In July 1943, the largest tank battle in history took place on the Russian Front. The Germans wanted to eliminate a bulge in their lines near a town called Kursk. If they had attacked earlier when they first planned they most likely would have steamrolled through to victory. But AH, meddling again, postponed the attack until the new panzer tanks (Panthers) were ready for battle.

- The II SS PanzerKorp was the backbone of the attack made up of the 1SS Panzergrenadier Division Leibstandarte Adolf AH, 2nd SS Panzergrenadier Division Das Reich and the 3rd SS Panzergrenadier Division Totenkopf.

- Many members of these units painted their helmets with a wide variety of camouflage patterns to avoid detection. Many unique camouflage patterns were used, including this lovely "watermelon" style example, with tan and green stripes going around the helmet. The helmet has also had heavy wire put around the shell, with chicken wire strung across the crown in the "half-basket" style. This allowed additional items such as fabric and foliage to be attached, improving the camouflage profile. As with the originals, any decals present were painted over.

- The chicken wire 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.

- The Russians, tipped off on when and where the attack would take place, built a defense that stretched nearly 25 miles deep. In spite of all the adversity, the II SS Panzerkorp made penetration in the face of desperate defense.

- While the battle is considered a tactical loss for the Soviets due to enormous losses, the Germans never made their objectives.

It was to be the last great German offensive in the East. This helmet represent those Soldaten driving against all odds in the last gasp of the Wehrmacht in the East.

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.