German Helmet Model 1940, M40 Stahlhelm, Norwegian Re-Issue

Up for display today is one of my favorite items in my military collection..........

This helmet has quite a history. It started out service as a Model 1940 Stahlhelm issued to a German Soldier serving in Norway during WW2. After the war, Norway needed military equipment to outfit its new army and they adopted much of the equipment that was left behind by the Germans. The Norwegians adopted the German helmet as the "new" standard issue helmet after WW2, possibly around 1953. These helmets remained in service until they were replaced with a US styled "pot" helmet in 1959. A large stash of these old helmets were discovered in the 1970's and purchased by a company named Unique Imports. 

I purchased this helmet from Unique Imports, out of their 1976 mail-order catalog. When I bought the helmet, it was being sold as a "original re-painted" WW2 helmet. The "restoration" consisted of a new coat of brushed on paint and reproduction Wehrmacht decals. Wen the helmet arrived,  I stripped the paint and decals back to the original Norwegian paint and decals.  I had never seen the Norwegian Army decals before, so I made a sketch of them and sent it, along with a letter, to the company.  You must remember that this was the "pre-internet" days of research and even basic information had to come from books.  
The response I received back from the company was vague, but said they may be Norwegian.  An interesting response since they helmets they were selling were all obtained from Norway!  My $20 purchase price was well worth the investment!  I only wish I could go back in time and purchase their entire inventory!

This helmet consists of an original WW2 German Model 1940 shell with a post-war Norwegian dyed leather liner. The Norwegians repainted the shells and applied the new army decals, treated the leather liners with a red-brown dye and preservative (or a completely new liner), added new chin straps and brass liner rivets, and new "shoe string" tie.

This helmet is stamped "Q64" which indicates that the shell was manufactured by the Quist company in Esslingen, Germany. The shell size is 64. The liner is a size 56 and is stamped as such. I have never taken out the liner to inspect the original stamp marks on the metal liner band.

For your viewing pleasure, here is a gallery of pictures of the helmet :