I’m not a collector but own a WWII German helmet
I own, what I believe to be, a genuine M40 and would like to become more knowledgeable about it w/ this board’s help.
From what I’ve determined through my own digging, it is an M40, w/ a Q64 designation. Made by Quist in Esslingen, pre ‘43. The marking is on the left skirt, not the rear, and is a 64cm size lid. There is no liner. From there, I know nothing more.
The helmet has bullet damage but I can only assume it’s post war plinking. The rounds did not penetrate and, from their placement, could not have occurred while someone was wearing it in combat. Does the damage look like .22LR rounds? Not that it matters, but I don’t know what caliber weapon it would take to penetrate the steel.
The background on this helmet is a bit odd. As a kid in Tuscaloosa, AL, my brothers and I would roam the neighborhoods seeking adventure. It was a safe, non threatening activity back in 1958. A few lots up from our house was a 2 story apartment building w/ large shrubs planted out front. At one corner, we found this helmet half buried in the dirt under one of these bushes. We took it home and for awhile, my brother let a pigeon nest in it. Until recently, the pigeon droppings were still inside the dome of this lid, kind of calcified. I recently cleaned it out and started my search on it’s history.
I ended up here.
If there is anything someone could ad to its origins, I would appreciate it.
Tim
From what I’ve determined through my own digging, it is an M40, w/ a Q64 designation. Made by Quist in Esslingen, pre ‘43. The marking is on the left skirt, not the rear, and is a 64cm size lid. There is no liner. From there, I know nothing more.
The helmet has bullet damage but I can only assume it’s post war plinking. The rounds did not penetrate and, from their placement, could not have occurred while someone was wearing it in combat. Does the damage look like .22LR rounds? Not that it matters, but I don’t know what caliber weapon it would take to penetrate the steel.
The background on this helmet is a bit odd. As a kid in Tuscaloosa, AL, my brothers and I would roam the neighborhoods seeking adventure. It was a safe, non threatening activity back in 1958. A few lots up from our house was a 2 story apartment building w/ large shrubs planted out front. At one corner, we found this helmet half buried in the dirt under one of these bushes. We took it home and for awhile, my brother let a pigeon nest in it. Until recently, the pigeon droppings were still inside the dome of this lid, kind of calcified. I recently cleaned it out and started my search on it’s history.
I ended up here.
If there is anything someone could ad to its origins, I would appreciate it.
Tim
