All pins and washers are tightly in place, the liner is original to the helmet and has some traces of tan paint from when the steel skirt was painted proving they are for sure original to each other. This soldier wore the helmet a long time because it is named to him under the tan paint in the skirt as well, only visible in bright lighting can you see the previous place where it is named under the paint. Rotter' and is a highlight of this helmet. The helmet is named in a really cool way to 'Lt. Between the factory paint and the sprayed camouflage paint is a layer of gritty grey camouflaged paint that makes it difficult to tell if there is decals under the paint or not. There is a lot number in the steel skirt as well but is obscured by several layers of paint. The helmet is maker marked inside the steel skirt 'Q64' (Maker: Quist, Esslingen. This camouflage pattern was typically applied in the field by branches of the Heer, Luftwaffe, and Waffen-SS. Standard period spray camouflaged pattern consisting of ordnance tan base, with olive green and red brown splotches sprayed overtop. Rotter' Original WWII German 'Normandy' camouflaged combat helmet named to Lt. #G2290 M40 'Normandy' Camouflaged Combat Helmet 'Lt. An impressive helmet ready for any collection that has never been cleaned or messed with. The net is period original applied, showing consistent wear and patina with the rest of the helmet and essentially molded to the helmets shape left untouched. The camouflage net is an Wehrmacht issue example, with fine wire hooks and ring. The overall look of the helmet is impressive, filled with lots of uncleaned patina.

The liner and chinstrap components are also original to the helmet and perfectly matching, the liner has tight pins and washers that have never been removed.

The helmet is named inside the rear of the steel skirt, to Gefreiter Schmitt L. The period applied camouflage consists of a chunky layer grey paint mixed with sawdust, with additional earth tones applied and what may be the remains of what may be winter whitewash and / or mud. The base M40 helmet is marked ET64 (Maker: Eisenhüttenwerk Thale / Herz, size 64). It is a size 2.#HH5 Camouflaged and Netted M40 Combat Helmet Original WWII German camouflaged and netted M40 combat helmet. The mask is marked BMW 44 and BWZ 44 in various places. The strap is nice and is mismatched between the upper and lower. The can is marked ebu 44 inside and has worn paint and surface rust outside which can be seen in the photos. The mask is unused as the filter is still capped.

The overall condition of everything is decent to good. Basically, the blue says keep this mask away from sensitive equipment like a V1 guidance system. This was an important distinction to make as these blue masks would not be issued to men handling sensitive equipment or optics which incorporated compasses or some communications equipment. The blue painted hardware indicates late war production as the blue means the parts are made from iron or ferrous metals as opposed to early versions which were non-magnetic. Original 1944 German gas mask with can, original late war straps, spare lenses, a cleaning cloth (probably not an original cloth but I can't say for sure with such a late mask) and spring clip.

German gas mask wwii