Name/Title
1940 - Model M40 German Steel 'Stahlhelm' Helmet issued to Luftwaffe Ground Combat Troops manufactured by Vereinigte Deutsche Nickelwerke in Schwerte (maker's mark 'N.S. 66') - unnamed / unattributedDescription
1940 - A Model 'M40' German Steel Helmet Luftwaffe Ground Combat Troops manufactured by Vereinigte Deutsche Nickelwerke in Schwerte (maker's mark 'N.S. 66') - unnamed / unattributed with Luftwaffe 'Adler 2' decal. This WW2 Steel German helmet 'Stahlhelm' (German for steel helmet), comes with its leather lining and chinstrap intact. On the inside of the shell is 'NS66'. The 'NS' indicates it was made by Vereinigte Deutsche Nickel-Werke at a factory in Schwerte. The '66', and the '2896' on the liner, indicate the head size and batch number.
German combat helmets were made by several different manufacturers during WWII. And, unlike the US M1 helmet, the German helmet came in a variety of sizes. For collectors, it is always important to identify the manufacturer and size of a helmet. This is easily discerned by locating the manufacturer code and the size stamp underneath the skirt of a helmet. The typical sizes of German helmets are: 60, 62, 64, 66, and 68.
ABOUT THE MODEL 40 GERMAN HELMET
This general type of post WW2 stahlhelm was first introduced in 1935, while the rim of the helmet flaring out rather than being folded in (a manufacturing cost- and time-saving measure) shows it was made 1942-45.Created By
Bertille L. HurelCreate Date
August 17, 2022Updated By
Lieutenant Michael Hayes-Rivet, retired.Update Date
December 29, 2025
