GERMAN WWII AUSTRIAN/GERMAN TRANSITIONAL SINGLE DECAL ARMY HELMET

A very unusual configuration being an original Berndorfer produced Austrian M.17 helmet with a size 66 shell, Berndorfer Bear marked to the inner rear skirt above the size stamping, with its original Austrian strap posts affixed to the main shell and with further inter-war conversion for the Austrian Cavalry with the extra brackets for Sadler mounting, then further used by the armed Forces of the Third Reich by having an M.40 zinc banded liner fitted, the exterior painted in the standard field grey and fitted with an army single decal. The paint finish is excellent with minor abrasions, the decal is good and clear again with minor abrasions. From our experience, we can tell that the helmet eventually found its way to the United States, where, due to what we call American red rot, the leather liner has degraded to an extent where it is completely loose from one half of the liner body, and various tongues have disappeared. The original drawstring is still fitted.

Ref; 91511 XIJ