Spring Military Aviation and Militaria Auction
Lot 254:
Description
German WWII M40 Combat Helmet with Heavy Textured Camouflage and ChinstrapThis lot offers an exceptional, late-war aesthetic piece: a German Model 1940 M40 Combat Helmet that was issued without decals and finished in a heavily textured, field-applied camouflage. The M40 model is identifiable by its rolled edge and the simplification of the ventilation hole crimped directly into the shell.The helmet shell was manufactured by Eisenh?ttenwerk Thale ET in a large size 64, clearly stamped ET64 on the interior skirt. The lot number, stamped into the rear interior, appears to be 4730. The exterior displays a dramatic, heavily textured, rough camouflage finish. The paint is a thick, coarse mixture of field green and earth tones with texture-adding materials like sawdust or sand, creating a non-reflective, battlefield-ready appearance. This helmet was produced as a decal-less shell, consistent with later-war manufacturing policy. The overall finish shows authentic wear, scuffing, and minor chipping, confirming its genuine, untouched veteran status.The interior is complete with its original components. It retains the correct steel liner band and the perforated brown leather liner. The leather shows heavy drying, cracking, and darkening from years of use, but remains secured by its original drawstring. The helmet retains its original brown leather chinstrap which is affixed to the liner band. The chinstrap is complete with its steel buckle and displays appropriate aging and wear, firmly securing the liner system.This M40 combat helmet is a prime historical artifact, highly valued for its desirable M40 model, sought-after large size ET64, and its evocative, heavily textured field camouflage, which represents the pragmatic concealment measures used by German troops during the late stages of World War II.
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