Germany, Wehrmacht. An M35 Stahlhelm with Field-Applied Winter Camouflage, by F.W. Quist

(Wehrmacht Stahlhelm M35 - Wintertarnlackierung). A Wehrmacht-issue M35 Stahlhelm (steel helmet), constructed of a single sheet of magnetic molybdenum steel. The exterior bears a wartime-compatible, hand-applied white paint scheme for use in winter conditions. Three rivets are distributed around the outer circumference of the shell for the accommodation of the interior fixtures, while the crown is also flanked on each side by a ventilation hole reinforced with a crimped grommet. Directly below each vent is a painted-out void in the shape of a shield, obscuring previous decals which are accordingly rendered indecipherable (with the left side appearing to include a red colour scheme). The rim is fully crimped, providing a smooth edge throughout the skirt. A magnetic metal ring surrounds the interior, fixed in place with the shell rivets, and retains a brown leather liner which culminates in eight fingers, each perforated with five ventilation holes and an additional eyelet for the accommodation of a drawstring which has been lost to time. Aluminum rings descend from each side of the ring for the inclusion of a chinstrap. Stamped onto the left side of the skirt is a mark of “Q66”, indicating manufacture by F.W. Quist, Esslingen, with a shell size of “66”. A heat code of “20735” is visible on the back of the skirt. The helmet measures approximately 24 cm (w) x 28 cm (l) x 15 cm. Issues consistent with field wear and refurbishment are evident, and include scratching throughout the shell, material fatigue to the interior liner (which has been cut down, resulting in the loss of half of an additional finger, with additional partial detachment from the ring), and the loss of the chinstrap. This storied and field-modified helmet remains in a fair condition.