Original Item: One-of-a-kind. This is a fine example of totally original Model M18 M-1918 German WWI large size 64 helmet shell. The shell is stamped W64 indicating that Hermann Weissenberger & Co. Stuttgart-Cannstadt manufactured it. Size 64 is a nice medium size that can accommodate liners from 56cm to 58cm or US 7 to 7 1/4. Size 64 shells are hard to find and are therefore more valuable to a collector.

This helmet has the following notable features-

• Maker’s code with marking W64 stamped on the interior of the shell found over the wearer’s left ear!
• Correct original air ventilation lugs.
• There should also be a dome stamp (under the paint). On the inside dome of every WWI German helmet you will find a heating lot code, these codes were used by the steel factories during production. These steel mills were called rolling mills.
• Traditional WW1 style three-pad leather liner.
• A chinstrap mounted to the liner.

Notable history the WWI M18 Refurbished Post WWI Freikorps Helmet:

- After WWI Germany was in turmoil

- Returning war veterans joined paramilitary organizations to protect Germany from Communists and Marxists trying to take control.

- These returning Veterans were outfitted and armed with their WWII equipment

- Helmets were painted with pride with symbols of the local district or city

- In 1933 the Freikorps units were disbanded with the beginning of the Third Reich

- This helmet represents a Freikorps Helmet with the Skull and Stick Grenades proudly painted on the front

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 high quality authentic decal. Please know that the paint, decal, 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 battle field 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 and decals.