Rare! Original German WWII M42 No Decal Heer/Waffen SS Helmet hkp66 With Fallschirmjäger Type Chinstrap
An original German WWII M42 No Decal Heer/Waffen SS Helmet, with a very rare Fallschirmjäger Type Chinstrap and the shell is maker marked “hkp66,” identifying production by Sächsische Emaillier und Stanzwerke A.G., Lauter, Sachsen, a recognized late war German helmet manufacturer, with lot number “1804” stamped into the rear skirt.
EXTERIOR
The exterior of the helmet retains the majority of its original dark fieldgray factory applied slightly textured paint. The shell displays only light wartime wear with scattered surface scratches, minor paint loss, and age toning consistent with honest period use. The factory finish remains very well preserved overall, with much of the original paint still present on the split pins, while one pin shows moderate paint wear from service use. The exterior presents a strong untouched appearance with desirable combat used character.
Mounted to the helmet is a very rare and highly desirable late war German helmet chinstrap manufactured in the same style and construction as the M38 Fallschirmjäger helmet chinstraps. Constructed from the same type of leather and utilizing identical stitched end construction, this seldom encountered variant is considered one of the rarer late war chinstrap types encountered on combat helmets today. Original examples alone are known to sell in the $600.00–$650.00 range when encountered separately. The strap remains original to the helmet and displays excellent untouched age and patina throughout.
INTERIOR
The shell features the late war simplified M42 rolled edge configuration and is maker marked “hkp66” with lot number “1804” stamped into the interior rear skirt. A faint dome stamp is also visible inside the crown/dome area.
The interior retains its original liner system with supple leather liner band and intact original drawstring still present. The leather remains soft and well preserved with only light age and wear visible. The liner is size stamped “58” and exhibits only slight wartime use overall. The galvanized liner band remains securely in place with all three original split pins intact.
The interior shell finish remains largely intact with visible factory stamping and natural age toning throughout. Overall, the interior displays as a very honest and well preserved late war combat helmet.
CONDITION
Overall, this helmet is in very good to excellent wartime condition showing only slight period use. The shell retains most of its original factory paint finish with no visible postwar alterations or restoration. The liner remains highly desirable due to its supple condition and complete original drawstring.
The true highlight of this helmet is the ultra rare late war Fallschirmjäger-type chinstrap, an extremely scarce variation that is very seldom encountered still mounted to an original combat helmet. An exceptional untouched late war M42 helmet with outstanding display appeal and collector desirability.
