Original German WW2 Reissue M40 Stahlhelm. Militaria

Pictured is a Stahlhelm of the M40 pattern, this example was originally manufactured for the German armed forces during the Second World War, but was subsequently refurbished for post-war service. The shell retains its wartime form & construction, but it exhibits extensive late war or post-war modification consistent with other reissues.

The helmet has been fully repainted in a uniform grey-green finish, distinct from wartime factory or field-applied coatings in both texture and tone. The paint is evenly applied & lacks the irregularities characteristic of combat camouflage, indicating a controlled refurbishment process, likely by machine, rather than wartime repainting.

The interior of the shell has been refinished with a light grey aluminium-oxide–based corrosion-inhibiting coating. Unfortunately this has obscured the manufacturer stamp & lot numbers which previously would have existed on this helmet. The matte, finely textured finish was applied to stabilise the metal surface and prevent further oxidation, a treatment inconsistent with wartime German practice but also characteristic of post-war police & importantly Bundesgrenzschutz practises.

The original wartime leather liner has been retained but shows evidence of treatment. The leather displays darkened coloration, surface stiffening, and a slight surface sheen consistent with preservative or conditioning compounds applied during refurbishment. It has also been dyed red, similar to that used by the Norwegians. The dye has tarnished a section of the skirt.

The helmet's chinstrap comes from 1936 stocks.