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.64, indicating that Emaillierwerke AG, of Fulda, Germany manufactured it. It is also stamped with s lot number under the rear skirt, however there is too much paint to read it accurately. Size 64 is a nice medium size that can accommodate liners from 56cm to 57cm or US 7 to 7 1/8. Size 64 shells are harder to find and are therefore more valuable to a collector.

Notable history of the WWII M40 Chicken Wire Normandy Winter Camouflage SS Helmet:

- December 1944 the 1st SSLAH Panzer Div. spearheaded the famous Ardennes (Battle of the Bulge) Battle. Also included in this were the 2nd SS Panzer "Das Reich" and the 12 SS Panzer "H Jugen". However, by January 1945 with no fuel or supplies the units was forced back step by step to the German Frontier.

- Many of these soldiers had "Normandy Camouflage" applied to their helmets earlier in 1944, which often 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.

- During winter the helmets were over painted white to better blend into the terrain, and this example replicates that perfectly, with the original camouflage still visible somewhat under the white. 

- The chickenwire that had covered the helmet all summer was not removed, but over painted as well. The chickenwire on this example is exactly replicates the same European wire found in Normandy in 1944. 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.

- This helmet represent those SS Soldaten clinging to every inch of ground during those early last cold days of the winter of 1945.

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.