Germany, Wehrmacht. An M42 Stahlhelm, with Netting and Hessian Cloth Cover

(Wehrmacht Stahlhelm M42). An unusual and well-preserved Wehrmacht M42 Stahlhelm, constructed of a single sheet of magnetic molybdenum steel. The shell retains the majority of its factory-original dark grey paint. Three rivets are distributed across the outer circumference, securing in place the interior fixtures. It is flanked on each side by integral ventilation shafts. The rim of the helmet is fully crimped, providing a smooth edge. An aluminum ring fully surrounds the interior, held in place by the exterior rivets. Emanating from the liner is an original brown leather liner consisting of eight fingers, each perforated with five ventilation holes and by an additional top holes through which is looped a leather drawstring. Also descending from the ring are two loops retaining a replacement multi-piece suede chinstrap. Stamped onto the skirt is a maker code of “EF64”, indicating manufacture Emaillierwerk A.G., Fulda, with a shell size of “64”. An additional factory code of “13113” is stamped onto the back of the skirt. The liner bears a handwritten name of “TJ KOHN” in black ink. Affixed to the helmet is a custom-fitted “Hessian cloth” cover constructed of a coarse light brown burlap, in turn topped by an additional netting of identical construction. Emanating from the netting is an array of straps of identical construction, presented in a deliberately frayed manner to obscure its appearance in the field. In addition to the replacement chinstrap, the Stahlhelm Issues consistent with age and field use are evident, and include consistent, minor oxidation to the shell and material fatigue to the leather liner. Complete with a scarce and unusual period cover, the Stahlhelm is in a better than very fine condition.