Germany, Luftwaffe. An M42 Stahlhelm, by Eisenhüttenwerke Thale

(Luftwaffe Stahlhelm M42). A well-preserved Luftwaffe M42 Stahlhelm (steel helmet), constructed of a single sheet of magnetic molybdenum steel which retains the majority of it’s original slate-grey paint. Three rivets are distributed around the outer circumference for the accommodation of the interior fixtures, while the crown is also flanked on each side by an integral ventilation hole. Situated directly below the left vent is a decal consisting of a silver-grey Luftwaffe eagle clutching a mobile swastika, with feathering and details highlighted in black, measuring 64 mm (w) x 30 mm (h). The edge of the skirt remains uncrimped in classic M42 format. A metal ring surrounds the interior of the crown, fixed in position with the shell rivets, and accommodates a brown leather liner which culminates in eight fingers, each perforated with five ventilation holes and an additional top eyelet through which is looped an original drawstring. Two metal loops descend from the ring, formerly accommodating a chinstrap which has been lost to time. The back of the skirt is stamped with a heat code of “5511”, and is flanked by an illegible maker’s code which appears to consist of the “QVL” mark of Eisenhüttenwerke Thale. One liner finger is stamped with a black ink size mark of “58”. The helmet measures approximately 25 cm (w) x 29 cm (l) x 15 cm (h). In addition to the missing chinstrap the helmet demonstrates minor issues consistent with age and field wear, including some scratching to the shell paint, oxidation of the internal metal fixtures, and fatigue to the liner. This late-war example remains in a very fine condition.