November 7-8, 2018 Edged Weapons, Armor, & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/7/2018
The German Stahlhelm, which was originally developed to protect its wearer from the dangers of combat, has now become an icon of the world conflicts which engulfed the first half of the 20th Century. The design of the German Helmet was not only visually appealing, it also was extremely functional. First developed in 1915, the German helmet was modified several times over the next 35 years to either improve its capabilities, or to increase production. In 1935, the first year of Germany's rearmament after the First World War, the M35 helmet was introduced. This new design was lighter and more streamlined than the older style helmets and is what the world now recognizes as the German Helmet of World War II. M35 helmets can most easily be identified from the separately riveted vent holes and rolled edges. With the outbreak of war, changes were made, and a new model helmet was introduced, the M40. The changes made to this new model were the use of a more matte, field grey finish and the vent holes were now integral to the helmets shell. In 1940, the national colors decals and party shields were ordered to be removed. The next model helmet to evolve was the M42. The model M42 has the same features of the M40 with the exception of the edges of the helmet not being rolled and remain flared. This was to speed up production and lower cost as the war dragged on and the German economy began changing to a total war economy. In 1943, all decals were ordered to be removed from combat helmets, though this was not always followed by soldiers in the field. An original near mint plus German World War II Waffen SS M40 Combat Helmet produced by Quist. This helmet is truly what SS and helmet collectors alike dream of. The exterior of the helmet is finished with a textured matte feldgrau (field grey) paint which is nearly 99% intact. Only a few small scattered light marks can be observed on the exterior of the helmet, but remains in relatively the same condition as it was the day it left the factory. The right side of the helmet features a correct Quist produced SS decal which is 99% intact and grades near mint plus. Also to note is that when a UV black light shone the decal, 99% of the decal emitted a slight glow showing that nearly all of the original factory protective lacquer is still intact. The exterior heads of the liner split pins retain nearly all of their original textured matte feldgrau paint, and match the the paint of the helmet almost perfectly. The split pins are tight to the outer shell. The inside of the helmet is just as nice as the exterior. The interior of the helmet is painted in a non textured matte feldgrau paint which, like the exterior, is nearly 99% intact. The liner system uses a 1943 dated steel band which has a quality pigskin leather attached to it. The pigskin leather liner exhibits almost no use or discoloring from sweat. There are a few areas on the edges of the leather liner that are beginning to flake slightly. The liner adjustment string has been threaded through the eight fingers of the liner and is tied. A thirteen hole, RB Numbered, 1944 dated, leather chinstrap is attached to the liners rings and folded over the brim of the helmet. The chinstrap appears completely unworn and is near mint plus condition. The inside skirt of the helmet is stamped on the right side with a "Q64", for the maker Quist and the size 64. The inside rear skirt of the helmet is stamped with the helmets "lot number", which is "T1198". This is a truly outstanding helmet. Most SS helmets of this caliber are usually already locked up tight in prestigious collections, or are sold privately and never see the open market. If you have been waiting to add the perfect SS helmet to your collection, this is your chance.