Identifying German Helmet

[Bob1941]

Hello, Newbie here and would like help identifying and authenticating this German helmet. It is marked on the inside ET62 and on the inside back 688 or 889. Appears to have been painted dont know why? The leather is stamped with a black 55 in a circle and on the chin strap it marked ?????BECK NURNBERG 1941

Thanks
Bob

[Walkwolf]

Hi, Bob. Welcome to the Forum !

The helmet is an original WWII M40, but I'm sure it's a post-war Norwegian reissue.
These were repainted in a green shade and had Norwegian national decals applied.

This one may have been refinished and repainted once again to more closely
resemble a WWII German Afrika Corps piece. Liners were dyed 'red'
and this is the giveaway, as well as the large circular size marking.

The chinstrap may well be an original.................

[Bob1941]

Do you know what the numbers on the helmet (shell)
refer to?

[davejb]

I agree with Steve, Norwegian reissue, red dyed liner, although these are collectable in their own right, you would need to remove the tan paint, its a real shame that these helmets were repainted and the liners redyed, as its as nightmare to try and get it back to original status

[Walkwolf]

'ET' is the maker: 'Eisenhuttenwerk, Thale, Germany, and '62' is the size.
The other stamp is a lot number.............

This is a small helmet, but it's not uncommon to find this size.

[davejb]

ET refers to the maker Eissenhuttenwerke , the T refers to the city , Thale , the 62 is the size of the shell, the numbers on the rear skirt are lot no/s , ie batch numbers

[davejb]

Steve beat me to it

[Bob1941]

Ok so let me see if I have this right. It is German Made and Norwegian used? when ? Since the chinstrap is marked something BECK NURNBERG 1941. Does that mean the strap was added to this? Sorry for all the questions just trying to learn. And it is WWII? if not what year?

Thanks!
Bob

[davejb]

Steve , just re-read your post re size 55 being an odd size for a german lid, its one of the standard sizes for this helmet shell, the other being a 54, as you know there were two liner sizes for each helmet shell, or did you mean something else, Dave

[Walkwolf]

WWII German M40 (1940) surplus helmet used post-war by the Norwegians.

The chinstrap may have been added, or it may have been of a quality
to be re-used by them, or it could be a replica - although it looks
original. Could you post a shot of the maker on the tip ?