Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice all original example of a German Model 42 Steel helmet, as issued to the Wehrmacht Heer (army). This stamped sheet steel construction helmet retains about 80% of its original paint, with overall wear and oxidation consistent with use in service. There are some areas where the paint was scuffed or scraped down to the steel, and this helmet also never had a decal applied. This is not uncommon with late war helmets, as sometimes there were not decals available, and the factories needed to make helmets as fast as they could.

This helmet also has the faded remnants of a "Whitewash" camouflage on the exterior and bottom of the interior, which was used often on the eastern front. It was relatively easy to apply, and then could be removed when the seasons grew warm again. The wash is definitely more present on the left side of the helmet, and just above the flare at the bottom of the skirt.

The shell is stamped with CKL 64 on the rear skirt above heat lot 4741, indicating that the Eisenhüttenwerke plant in Thale, Germany manufactured it. As the war progressed, Quist moved the size stamping to the rear to save production time, as did other makers. 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. There are also trades of an original DOME STAMP on the top of the shell.

ET changed 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 5681. 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 original liner retaining pins are present with most of their original paint retained. The interior of the helmet still has an original M31 leather liner, which is in good shape, but does show damage and deterioration from storage and use. One of the eight "fingers" has torn off, and some others are in delicate condition. The original top tie is also not present. The later war issue galvanized steel liner band is marked on the left outer side with 64 n.A. / 57, indicating that the liner band is a size 57, intended for a 64 shell. The right side displays the full manufacture information, as well as a date:

SCHUBERTH-WERKE K.-G.
D. R. P.
1943
BRAUNSCHWEIG

The chin strap is unfortunately completely missing.

Overall a nice condition genuine German M42 helmet, complete with a liner and faded winter "Whitewash" camouflage! 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.