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 faintly stamped Q66, indicating that F.W. Quist G.m.b.H. in the German city of Esslingen, Germany manufactured it. It is also stamped with lot number 208 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 M40 1st SS LAH in Italy Camouflage Helmet -

- In 1943 with the looming Italian collapse, the 1st SS Leibstandarte AH was sent to Italy, an arrived at the Po River Valley on 8 August 1943. A month later, the division participated in the disarming of the Royal Italian Army soldiers after Italy's surrender.

- While in Italy it was re-designated the 1st SS Panzer Division Leibstandarte SS Adolf H (SS-LAH).

- While Camo helmets worn by the SS come in a variety colors and schemes, most agree that the units in Italy used a paint scheme that utilized a lot more browns and tans compared to other areas where green was more predominant. This example has a lovely heavily textured camouflage paint job with brown, olive, and tan. It also has had a 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.

- By November the 1st SS Panzer Division LAH unit was rushed back to the eastern front, where things were not going well.

- This helmet accurately represents those worn by the SS-LAH while in Italy and Russia during the summer of 1943.

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.