Spring Military Aviation and Militaria Auction
Lot 256:
Description
Outstanding German WWII M40 Single Decal Luftwaffe Combat Helmet with Field Camouflage and NamingThis lot offers an exceptional and highly personalized example of a German Model 1940 M40 Single Decal SD Combat Helmet, issued to the Luftwaffe German Air Force, featuring a field-applied camouflage scheme and clear soldier identification. 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 Quist Q in a desirable large size 64, clearly stamped Q64 on the interior skirt. The lot number, stamped into the rear skirt, is N106. The exterior displays a dramatic and authentic field-applied camouflage pattern, consisting of dark field gray over-painted with large, irregular patches of dark green. This camouflage is heavily worn and chipped, creating a striking, mottled appearance that reveals the original dark blue-gray Luftwaffe factory paint beneath, confirming its genuine combat use.The helmet is a Single Decal configuration, and the Luftwaffe Eagle Decal is clearly visible beneath the camouflage. The decal is generally intact, estimated to be approximately 85% complete, with light chipping and the camouflage paint carefully painted around the insignia, a distinctive sign of field application.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, darkening, and patina consistent with years of use. A highly collectible feature is the clear, handwritten soldier’s name, Ltn. Kreutzer, painted onto the interior skirt. This personalization provides excellent provenance and suggests the owner was an officer or high-ranking non-commissioned officer, given the rank abbreviation Ltn. for Leutnant or Lieutenant. The original brown leather chinstrap is also present and affixed to the liner band, displaying appropriate aging and an aluminum buckle.This M40 Single Decal Luftwaffe helmet is a premium historical artifact, combining a sought-after camouflage scheme, a desirable large shell size Q64, and the extremely valuable feature of a visible, named identification Ltn. Kreutzer, making it an ideal piece for the advanced collector.
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