SD M42 NS68...... Big Bertha!

[helmet2id]

EXCELLENT! Lot#3094?

[Chopperman]

my grandfather had a monumental head

[AndyM35]

Hello Andy, I'm doing research on my grandfather's Kriegsmarine service and the rest of his 9 brothers (7 in the Kriegsmarine, 2 in the Luftwaffe, 1 in the Heer, all in the Wehrmacht, grandma too but that's for another thread).

My grandfather was Hans-Günther Holtschmit, a Naval Intelligence Officer (Marine Nachrichten Offizier and 1. Funkoffizier). He was in in the Deutschland-Lutzow for the Norway Campaign, spent many years resupplying U-Boats in the Atlantic, among other things.

I would love to know more about how you came across this Stahlhelm and if there are any additional details you can share regarding it.

P.s. my grandfather had a monumental head

Hello Jan,

I purchased the helmet from Ken at German Helmets Inc in 2019 and then sold it to helmet collecting friend who lives in Germany in 2023. I was pleased to see it go back. Unfortunately I don’t have any further information but I recall someone saying that the family name HoltSchmit was not too common. Here are some additional photos taken last year when it arrived back in Germany - I’m sure my friend won’t mind me sharing these. He found that the family name was written under the leather liner as well, something I hadn’t seen as I didn’t want to undo the liner string. As a helmet it certainly looked service used and weighed noticeably more than most of the others in my collection.

Andy

[AndyM35]

And a picture of Gertrude when she was a puppy to give some scale.

[DerFunker]

Great looking lid, and massive!

I bet his squadmates nicknamed him "großkopf"

[janjanjan]

Thank you for sharing the story Andy!

It's not the most common last name (100 something living in Germany, mostly distant family but from the same tree). Chances are the helmet was worn by one of my great-uncles or my grandfather, but I'm glad it found a good home.

[AndyM35]

Thank you for sharing the story Andy!

It's not the most common last name (100 something living in Germany, mostly distant family but from the same tree). Chances are the helmet was worn by one of my great-uncles or my grandfather, but I'm glad it found a good home.

Next time I’m speaking with my friend I’ll ask him if has been able to find any further information.

[LuckystrikeM42]

What a great helmet! The only size that would fit me as well! Definitely not common, as I even have a hard time finding regular hats to wear.

-Pete

[AndyM35]

EXCELLENT! Lot#3094?

Thanks Jim!

Hard to tell. I don’t have it any longer unfortunately but found an old photo. I was thinking 3091 or 81? Back in 2019 when I first posted it, it was suggested as 3094 by another forum member.

[MAP]

It's 3094 to me.

I'm assuming Jim has a 3094 as well??