German Waffen SS M40 "Chicken Wired" Single Decal ET64 Helmet (Original)
SKU: GERMAN WAFFEN SS M40 SINGLE DECAL ET64 HELMET
Original/Reproduction: Original
Availability: In-stock
Manufacturer: N/A
Year Manufactured: 1940-1943
Model: M40
Maker: ET – Eisenhüttenwerke, Thale factory
Size: 64, 56cm
Markings: ET64, 190 Back
Condition: Excellent, Mint
Price: $9995.00
Seller Type: WW2C
Seller ID: JMW
Return Policy: 3-day inspection and return policy on used guns and accessories.
Description:
Original Rare, Waffen SS M40 Single Decal ET64, Chicken Wired Helmet from World War II Nazi Germany 1940-1943.
This German SS Helmet M40 exemplifies the epitome of wartime combat headgear. It stands as a pristine, entirely original artifact. The exterior boasts near-complete retention of its factory-applied paint, showcasing its authenticity. Adorning the shell is a single SS runic decal of the textbook ET variety, perfectly aligning with the helmet's maker. While displaying minor signs of wear, the decal remains remarkably intact, enhancing its aesthetic appeal.
Internally, the helmet maintains its original liner, featuring a wartime steel liner band. The leather liner remains remarkably preserved, exhibiting genuine wear and minimal aging. The intact drawstring adds to its completeness. Additionally, the liner band's bales support an original chin strap with an aluminum buckle. The chin strap's maker mark and 1940 date on the tip further authenticate the piece.
There is no evidence of any alterations or tampering with any component of the helmet. The interior skirt bears size and maker stamps, "ET64". This helmet stands as a prime example of wartime craftsmanship, maintaining its excellent condition throughout the years.
History:
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, 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 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 an effort to reduced construction time and labor costs minor modifications were introduced in March 1940 resulting in the M40 helmet. Further construction modifications were undertaken in August 1942 resulting in the M42 helmet. The Allgemeine-SS, (General-SS), the SS-VT, SS-Verfügungstruppe, (SS-Special Purpose Troops), the SS-TV, SS-Totenkopfverbände, (SS-Death’s Head Units) and eventually the Waffen-SS, (Armed-SS), were also allocated quantities of the assorted models of helmets through-out the war. Originally SS personnel didn’t utilized any helmet insignia until the first pattern runic SS helmet decals with silver runes on a black field were introduced on February 23RD 1934, but were only worn for a short time by SS-VT personnel. On August 12TH 1935 the black runic SS helmet decal on a silver shield shaped base and the NSDAP, Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiterpartei, (National Socialist German Worker’s Party), party shield decal were both introduced for wear by all SS personnel. Regulations of March 21ST 1940 dictated that the NSDAP party shield decal was to be removed from all helmets and further regulations of November 1ST 1943 abolished the SS runic decal and dictated that it was also to be removed from all helmets although the directives were not completely adhered to. Of Note: The SS runic decal underwent a minor modification sometime early in the war with the runes being somewhat less angular.
