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Waffen-SS M1940 Single Decal Combat Helmet

This M1940 Single Decal Waffen-SS Combat helmet came from the estate of a World War II veteran who acquired it while guarding German prisoners in 1945. This particular shell was manufactured by the Quist firm as indicated by the "Q66" on the inside rim. Most collectors now believe that specific styles of SS runic decals were only used on specific helmet shells. Collectors have come to believe that helmets manufactured by the Quist firm bear a unique style of SS runic shield not normally found on any other shell maker. In this case, the decal shown conforms to that notion and is the style most often seen on factory produced Quist helmets. It is not 100% certain if all factory produced SS helmets bear unique "factory specific" runic shields, despite some evidence to suggest it. In each case, helmets that are completely original have been found with runic shield decals that defy this notion. Most collectors believe that helmets that do not conform to these standards are in fact "fakes" intended to deceive, yet many of the helmets that bear this out are in fact correct despite their non-standard configuration.

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German-Helmets.com - The Online Reference Guide to World War II German Helmets 1933-1945