Germany, Heer. An M42 Stahlhelm, Single Decal Version with Camouflage Paint, by Eisenhüttenwerke Thale

(Heer Stahlhelm M42 mit Tarnlackierung). An unusual Heer M42 Stahlhelm (steel helmet), constructed of a single sheet of magnetic molybdenum steel with hand-painted camouflage consisting of a dark brown, khaki-tan, and dark green mottle executed with overlapping borders. Three rivets are distributed around the outer circumference for the accommodation of the interior fixtures. The crown is flanked on each side by an integral ventilation hole, with the left vent situated above a decal in the form of a black shield bearing a silver-grey Heer-style German national eagle clutching a mobile swastika, measuring 32 mm (w) x 38 mm (h). The rim presents without crimping in classic M42 format. A magnetic metal ring surrounds the interior of the crown, fixed in position with the shell rivets, and in turn bears a brown leather liner which culminates in eight fingers, each perforated with five ventilation holes and an additional eyelet for the inclusion of a drawstring. Two magnetic metal loops descend from the sides to anchor a chinstrap which has been lost to time. Stamped onto the left side of the skirt is a code of “ET64”, indicating manufacture by Eisenhüttenwerke Thale, with a shell size of 64. The back of the skirt bears a stamped heat code number of “1779”. The helmet measures approximately 24 cm (w) x 28.5 cm (l) x 15.5 cm (h). The wartime compatibility of the camouflage paint is indeterminate, and the interior demonstrates some fatigue to the liner in addition to the missing chinstrap. This unusual example of a late-war helmet remains in a very fine condition.