United States. A Wehrmacht M40 Steel Helmet with G.I. Souvenir Painting, 1st Infantry Division

A unique war souvenir Wehrmacht M40 steel helmet, featuring a striking postwar-painted dedication to the US 1st Infantry Division at Normandy. The helmet is constructed of a magnetic molybdenum steel shell, presenting a classic M40 design with three protruding magnetic metal rivets distributed around the outer circumference, securing in place the interior features. Flanking the helmet are integrated ventilation holes. The outer shell bears highly-detailed, hand-painted, and full-colour commemorative imagery applied as a memento of the campaign. It consists of a caricature of AH with a shell speeding toward him, with the latter bearing an inscription of “TO ADOLF, XXX, FROM THE ‘BIG RED ONE’”, on the left side. 

Beneath this cartoon is a group of skeletons wearing Stahlhelms overlaid by mobile swastikas, symbolizing German dead. The right features an inscription of “BASHIN EM BACK TO BERLIN AND BURYIN EM ON THE WAY, NORMANDY 44”. The exterior features are completed at the front with an emblem of the US 1st Infantry Division, a road sign pointing to Berlin, and a further inscription of “1ST. US. INF. DIV. NORMANDY 1944”. The rim is crimped, providing a smooth edge, while the interior retains all of its original fixtures. These include an aluminum alloy ring lining the interior circumference, secured in place with the aforementioned rivets. Emanating from the ring is a dark brown leather liner, featuring eight fingers, each perforated with five ventilation holes and topped by an additional eyelet through which is looped a drawstring. Also emanating from the ring are two aluminum loops, retaining a period original two-piece chinstrap, adjusted with an aluminum buckle.

Stamped onto the brim is a partially-visible maker’s code beginning with “Q” and an additional code of “874”. It is also marked with a size of “59” on one of the liner fingers. The helmet measures 235 mm (w) x 285 mm (l) x 140 mm (h). Some issues consistent with age and modification are evident to the helmet, and include possible repainting of the shell, loosening of the rivets, and some fatigue of the leather elements. However, the veteran-applied caricatures and inscriptions remain fully intact, and this rare and exquisite souvenir helmet is in an overall near extremely fine condition.

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