Original Item: One-of-a-kind. This is a fine example of a totally original Model M40 M-1940 German WW2 large size 66 helmet shell. The shell is stamped EF66 indicating that Emaillierwerke AG, of Fulda, Germany manufactured it. Size 66 is a nice large size that can accommodate liners from 58cm to 60cm or US 7 1/4 to 7 1/2. Size 66 shells are always hard to find and are therefore more valuable to a collector.
Notable history of the WWII SS Battle of Leningrad Winter M40 Camouflage Helmet:
- On September 8th 1941 Army Group North severed the last road in or out of Lenningrad which began a siege that lasted 872 days.
- Formerly known as St Petersburg , the name change to "Leningrad" made it a symbol of the Communist party revolution in 1918 in Russia honoring Lenin, the founder of Communist Russia.
- Army Group North consisted of 16th Army, 18th Army, and the 4th panzer group, which contained the SS Totenkompf and SS Polizei Divisions.
- The almost 4 years of siege was marked by striking cold winters.
- This example has wire attached during the summer to hold straw/trigs/brush to break up the smooth contour of the helmet. It was then over painted with white to blend with the snow.
- This helmet
represents those worn by SS personnel during the winters of 1.