Waffen-SS Single Decal Steel Helmet M42
CATEGORY: Version
SKU: 50.GOR.01.01.02.01.002.000
Estimated market value:
Estimated market value:
This is a textbook example of a wonderfully preserved M42 raw edge helmet with original field green exterior, air vents on either side, and C.A. Pocher Waffen-SS runic on the left side. The inside is also painted in field green and comes complete with its original eight-panel butterscotch-coloured leather liner, each with five ventilation holes, and an additional hole at the tip for the original drawstring. The original two-piece leather chinstrap is perfectly intact with only minor cracking from minor wear and age. The steel buckles of the chin strap are firmly attached to the liner’s steel frame of the helmet with its three original pins. The underside of the skirt is stamped “NS66”, and “D359” immediately below. The helmet measures 297 mm x 245 mm x 165 mm. The original paint on the interior is nearly perfectly preserved, with the exterior paint having contact marks and scratches from use; however, it is also extremely well preserved. There is nearly no soiling on the leather liner with only minimal wear marks towards the front. The chin strap is lightly cracked with a minimal 1 mm tear between the 7th and 8th adjustment hole. Overall in better than extremely fine and a highly desirable helmet.
Footnote: This particular helmet features a rarely encountered Waffen-SS runic placed on the opposite side of what was standard regulation, often referred to by collectors as a “reverse decal” helmet. In the past collectors have documented that this decal configuration can be attributed to Dutch or Belgian volunteers serving in the SS with a “first pattern” C.A Pocher manufactured runic decal that was applied by the soldier, not the factory, on the left side of the helmet, as opposed to the standard right side.
The Waffen-SS Steel Helmets were modeled after the helmets of the German Army. The main design stems from the so-called M(odel) 35, which was a modernisation of the helmet design of WWI helmets.
In 1940, the M35 underwent slight modification in order to simplify the manufacturing process. Rather than using separate fittings for ventilation holes, the hole mounts were directly stamped onto the shell.
Besides this alteration, the M35 and M40 were the same and the distinction between the two models was made relevant by collectors; contemporary Germans referred to the M40 helmet as the M35.
When the M42 helmet was introduced, its design was shaped by wartime demand. The smooth rolled edge of the M40 helmet was eliminated to reduce the time needed for the manufacturing process and limit the amount of materials needed for a single helmet.
In addition, the paint finishes on factory produced helmets tend to be quite rough.
Helmets produced after November 1, 1943, were issued without the runic decal. This measure was taken to reduce production time and decrease the helmet’s visibility in combat.
As the war progressed, a larger number of helmets with manufacturing flaws were produced.
There are versions of the Helmet that soldiers camouflaged with available paint, dirt, or white wash.
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