M42 Stahlhelm

**1stSSLSSAHTexas** · 06-15-2014, 09:59 PM

Hi, I was wondering if anyone could tell me some info about this M42 Stahlhelm, first off I was wondering if it is original factory wartime paint/texture on the Stahl, also what are the markings on the helmet liner band? I know it's the manufacturer but where were they located ect. ect. The 342 has me lost, I assume it is the makers code? (Not up to par with helmets) so mind my ignorance lol.

the split pins are also dated 1944. Seems to have a ricochet on the side of it as well? My friend gave it to me and he said he got it from a local estate sale. Apparently a US 3rd Inf Div vet brought it back home from France? Not sure how true it is, we never buy the story just the item.

**Espenlaub Militaria** · 06-15-2014 09:59 PM

We also buy and trade your items and full collections!

**MD Helmets** · 06-15-2014, 10:20 PM

Pain looks ok to me. 342 is the steel lot # or batch #. Removing the split pins is a huge "No No". Affects the value of the helmet. It's completely missing the liner and chin strap.

**Sir Payne** · 06-15-2014, 10:48 PM

The paint on this looks exceptionally well preserved. Look for a maker mark/size marking around the skirt. It should be two letters and then "64" for example like this: "EF64"
The 44 dated pins combined with rough textured paint suggest to me that this helmet could possibly be unissued. We may never know if it had a liner or not, but it doesn't matter. This is a super desirable helmet shell in my opinion

Go buy your friend a steak dinner.

**1stSSLSSAHTexas** · 06-15-2014, 11:03 PM

Payne, I honestly don't see a shell size marking anywhere near the skirt. I do know it is a size 64 shell, though.

**davejb** · 06-15-2014, 11:13 PM

To me it looks like there are other marks before the 342, but i think this is a very light strike stamp, the maker and size could be obscured by the paint plus light strike

**Sir Payne** · 06-15-2014, 11:27 PM

There is a chart somewhere online that shows helmet sketches of the various makers. If somebody could post it that would be great.

**1stSSLSSAHTexas** · 06-15-2014, 11:54 PM

Okay, so there is a VERY faint marking of "EF64" on this Stahlhelm

**davejb** · 06-15-2014, 11:59 PM

I think it had a liner at sometime, you can see the rub marks where the spring leafs went in

**KradSpam** · 06-16-2014, 12:03 AM

I was thinking EF. Light maker stamps, typical EF M40/42 vent impression and exaggerated flare at the beginnings of the skirt. IMO the ding is someone messing around with a .22 after the war. As Todd said it's never a good idea to remove the pins or a liner, even if it's only a partial liner band.