Spring Military Aviation and Militaria Auction
Lot 263:
Description
This lot features a scarce and highly desirable German Model 1940 (M40) Single Decal Army (Heer) Combat Helmet enhanced with a period, field-applied wire camouflage system. The M35 model is recognized for its rolled shell edge and separate ventilation grommets, indicating an authentic early-war manufacture.The helmet shell carries stamped markings that identify its origin: the manufacturer is indicated by "IN280" on the wearer’s left interior skirt (likely an inspector or assembly mark, but often mistaken for a manufacturer code, which typically consists of letters and size, e.g., ‘Q64’ or ‘SE64’). The lot number, stamped into the rear interior skirt, is ‘904’. Research suggests that genuine lot numbers in the 900 range often correspond to shells made by SE (S?chsische Emailler- und Stanzewerke) or ET (Eisenh?ttenwerke Thale) in smaller shell sizes, which is consistent with the likely size of this piece.The helmet retains its original, smooth field gray-green paint, which is partially visible beneath the heavy, field-applied wire camouflage. This chicken-wire style is secured around the rim and over the dome, showing authentic rust and patina that indicates it has been in place for decades. This wire was a common soldier modification used to secure foliage for camouflage and to break up the helmet’s recognizable silhouette in the field.The helmet was originally a Single Decal (SD) Army (Heer) variant, though the faint trace of the Wehrmacht (Army) Eagle decal is now largely obscured or covered by the paint and wire, a common outcome for field-camouflaged helmets.The interior is complete with its original perforated leather liner, which exhibits genuine signs of heavy use, drying, and darkening consistent with a combat relic. A significant and collectible feature is the soldier?s clear, handwritten name, ?ST. John.? marked on the leather liner. This personalized naming greatly enhances the helmet’s historical value and provenance. The liner is secured by the original aluminum liner band, typical of early-war M35s. The chinstrap bales are present, though the original chinstrap is not included.This M35 wire camouflage helmet, with its identifiable shell marks, early-war features, and soldier’s handwritten name, is an outstanding example of a personalized piece of World War II combat gear.
Share this lot:
