Original Item: Only One Available. The SS (Schutzstaffel - 'Protection Squadron') was originally formed in 1925, ostensibly to act as a small, loyal bodyguard unit to protect the Führer, Adolf H. Under the direction of the Reichsführer-SS Heinrich Himmler, the SS grew to be the most ruthless and feared organization of the 20th century. They were the vanguard of NSDAP and eventually controlled nearly every function of German life and much of Occupied Europe.

When WWII began in earnest, the SS-Verfügungstruppe (SS-VT) (SS Dispositional Troops) became the Waffen-SS ("Armed SS"), an official military branch of the SS organization. Its formations included men from NSDAP ruled Germany, along with volunteers and conscripts from both occupied and unoccupied lands. They were issued the same type field gear as the regular Heer Army, however they were marked specifically for the SS.

This is an incredible ultra rare all original example of a Model 1940 M42 German WWII helmet, with a single ᛋᛋ Doppelte Siegrune (Double Sig/Victory Rune) decal on the right side of the helmet. This was the symbol used by the SS throughout their existence, and many of the SS units also utilized the old Germanic Runic alphabets as a source of insignia. Earlier in the war the Waffen SS used two decals, with an NSDAP party shield on the left side, however this was dropped as the war progressed. Unlike the other armed branches, the Waffen SS had their branch insignia on the right side of the helmet.

This stamped sheet steel construction helmet retains much of its original lightly textured Panzergrau (armored gray) paint, showing overall wear and scratching from service. This is particularly evident on the lower edge, with a few smaller areas of missing paint on the top. The interior paint is very well retained, showing just a bit of oxidation and wear. The SS decal is very nice, and about 75% intact, definitely one of the better examples we have seen. It does however look to have possibly have been partially "sanitized", or maybe the owner leaned his head on something, as there are multiple scratches across the decal that go down to the steel. This helmet looks to only have seen some real use in service, and would make an incredible addition to any German WWII collection.

We have examined the decal closely and compared it with known period originals, and se see no reason to doubt the authenticity. It has the correct point at the bottom for a helmet made by Eisenhüttenwerk AG, and the sides of the shield are rounded where they start inward, also correct. This inward slope starts right at the bottom of the runes, clearly seen on the left side of the decal. It also has the correct thicker black border line, distinctive to ET / ckl marked helmets, and we can also see the layer of lacquer surrounding the edges of the decal. All of these are absolutely correct for this maker.

The reverse, interior, neck guard apron is heat lot number stamped 910 and the interior, left side, apron has the stamped manufacturer's code and size, ET62 indicating that it was manufactured by Eisenhüttenwerk AG of Thale, located in the Harz district in Saxony, Germany. Size 62 is a nice smaller size that can accommodate liners from 54cm to 55cm or US 6 3/4 to 6 7/8.

Eisenhüttenwerk AG would later change manufacturer code from ET to CKL, which occurred during final production of the M40 and initial production of the M42 models. M42s can be found with ET stamps and M40s with ckl stamps. The change to an ordnance code (ckl) was to protect the identity and location of the manufacturer from the Allies. Notice the lot number 910. The lot number indicates the particular batch of sheet steel that was used when a quantity of helmet shells were produced. This was accomplished through several steps of press-forming or hot-stamping the shells. The lot number serves as a control number for the manufacturer and as an extra stamp of approval.

All three liner retaining pins are intact, however the caps are made from plated steel, which has resulted in a good amount of the paint flaking off of all three. The helmet still has its correct M31 liner with all of the 8 fingers present and intact, with the top tie string still installed. The leather shows only light to moderate use, and is still quite supple, showing light overall staining. The left exterior of the galvanized steel liner band is marked 62 n. A. / 55, indicating that it is a size 55 liner for a size 62 shell, and there is still a 55 in a circle marking on one of the fingers. The right side has partial manufacturer markings, which we cannot read entirely, but look to be for Schuberth. It is not the round stamp, indicating circa 1940 manufacture.

The liner is still fitted with an original leather chin strap with a steel buckle, retained by the correct galvanized steel studs. It is fully intact with the leather still relatively supple, and does not show any major damage such as tears or splits. It even has a maker on the end of the long section, which reads LEON H. BECK / NÜRNBERG / 1942.

Overall this is a great example of a Rare M40 Single Decal SS helmet, complete with a liner and chinstrap! M40 helmets of this quality are always the hardest to find on the market. This is an item that will only continue to appreciate in value over time.

The first "modern" steel helmets were introduced by the French army in early 1915 and were shortly followed by the British army later that year. With plans on the drawing board, experimental helmets in the field, ("Gaede" helmet), and some captured French and British helmets the German army began tests for their own steel helmet at the Kummersdorf Proving Grounds in November, and in the field in December 1915. An acceptable pattern was developed and approved and production began at Eisen-und Hüttenwerke, AG Thale/Harz, (Iron and Foundry Works), in the spring of 1916.

These first modern M16 helmets evolved into the M18 helmets by the end of WWI. The M16 and M18 helmets remained in usage through-out the Weimar Reichswehr, (National Defence Force, Circa 1919-1933), era and on into the early years of the Third Reich until the development of the smaller, lighter M35 style helmet in June 1935.

In 1934 tests began on an improved Stahlhelm, whose design was a development of World War I models. The Eisenhüttenwerke company of Thale carried out prototype design and testing, with Dr. Friedrich Schwerd once again taking a hand.

The new helmet was pressed from sheets of molybdenum steel in several stages. The size of the flared visor and skirt was reduced, and the large projecting lugs for the obsolete armor shield were eliminated. The ventilator holes were retained, but were set in smaller hollow rivets mounted to the helmet's shell. The edges of the shell were rolled over, creating a smooth edge along the helmet. Finally, a completely new leather suspension, or liner, was incorporated that greatly improved the helmet's safety, adjustability, and comfort for each wearer. These improvements made the new M1935 helmet lighter, more compact, and more comfortable to wear than the previous designs.

The Army's Supreme Command officially accepted the new helmet on June 25, 1935 and it was intended to replace all other helmets in service.

The M1935 design was slightly modified in 1940 to simplify its construction, the manufacturing process now incorporating more automated stamping methods. The principal change was to stamp the ventilator hole mounts directly onto the shell, rather than utilizing separate fittings. In other respects, the M1940 helmet was identical to the M1935. The Germans still referred to the M1940 as the M1935, while the M1940 designation was given by collectors.

In 1942, Due to wartime demands, the M-42 design was put into production because it was significantly quicker to manufacture. The rolled edge of the M-35 shell was eliminated, creating an unfinished edge along the rim. This edge flared out slightly, along the base of the skirt. The elimination of the rolled edge expedited the manufacturing process and reduced the amount of metal used in each helmet, without sacrificing protection.