Original German WWII M40 Refurbished 6th Army Battle of Stalingrad Chicken Wire Camouflage Helmet - Stamped EF66

Original Item: One-of-a-kind. This is a fine example of totally original Model M40 M-1940 German WW2 large size 66 helmet shell, refurbished by a master German camouflage restorer. The shell is stamped E.F.66, indicating that Emaillierwerke AG, of Fulda, Germany manufactured it. It is also stamped with lot number 50 under the rear skirt. Size 66 is a nice large size that can accommodate liners from 58cm to 59cm or US 7 1/4 to 7 3/8. Size 66 shells are much harder to find and are therefore more valuable to a collector.

The German Wehrmacht 6th Army at the Battle of Stalingrad:

- During Spring 1942 Under Friedrich Paulus, as part of Army Group South the 6th Army participated in the successful battle of Kharkov.

- In June 1942 it was to be part of Case Blue, the summer offensive to capture the Russian Oilfields, however instead, August 1942 Army Group B with 6th Army was diverted towards Stalingrad.

- The 6th Army was the key force in Stalingrad up to its surrender in early 1943.

- This helmet was representative of those Heer forces in 6th Army leading up to and including the Stalingrad battle. It is painted with an olive and green camouflage pattern that better matched the steppe of Western Russia. Over this it was fitted with chicken wire covering the entire shell, used to attach foliage and increase the camouflage profile.

- The chickenwire on this example exactly replicates the same European wire used during much of the war. The twist in the wire varies by country and by time. So many helmets out there use wire that is not correct for the period.

What does refurbished mean? While the shell is 100% genuine WWII manufacture, we have tasked, perhaps the very best German Helmet restorer in the USA, to customize this helmet. Every detail is hand done, with the finest materials including a hand painted shell, with a hand hand aged high quality reproduction liner. Please know that the paint, liner and chinstrap, while they look totally original are all new and the helmet has been refurbished to look as if it was picked up off the battlefield by a USGI and brought home as a war trophy.

This helmet is one-of-a-kind there will never be one exactly like it, making it a true collectors piece that will do nothing but appreciate in value in the coming years. This is a rare opportunity to own a genuine WWII German Helmet for a fraction of the cost of one with original camouflage paint.