WW2 German M42 Single Decal Kriegsmarine Steel Helmet ET64 Lot No 1520

The WW2 German M42 Single Decal Kriegsmarine Steel Helmet ET64 Lot No 1520 is an original combat helmet issued to personnel of the Kriegsmarine, the naval branch of the German armed forces during the Second World War. The M42 model, introduced in 1942, features a raw edge shell and simplified manufacturing compared to earlier models. This example is marked “ET64,” indicating production by Eisenhüttenwerk Thale and a shell size of 64 cm. The lot number “1520” is stamped into the skirt for production tracking. The helmet bears a single Kriegsmarine decal, denoting naval usage, typically located on the left side. Its construction includes a steel shell, and when present, an M31 leather liner system designed for enhanced wearer comfort and protection. These helmets were standard issue for Kriegsmarine forces and are characterized by their practical design modifications, reflecting the constraints and demands of wartime production from 1942 onwards.