German WWII M1935 Steel Helmet, ET66

Original era manufacture. Standard M1935 pattern shell with separate ventilators, rolled rim, and maker marked on the neck skirt, ET66. The helmet shell displays an even, battleship gray paint finish on the exterior and neck skirt, the inside of the helmet shows surface corrosion staining with evidence of white paint. The rear rivet has its proper slot washer in place, however the front two are pop riveted in place but showing the correct type alloy rivet heads. Black dyed leather liner with a zinc liner band. The black leather chinstrap is of a non-regulation pattern, but certainly nothing newly made. Ok, so what is it? Good question, the paint finish is old, the riveting of the front liner rivets is verycorrectly done, and the rear rivet is a correct, WWII style. The color of course makes one think perhaps Kriegsmarine, the fact that the helmet hasn't been festooned with a bunch of bogus decals or other embellishments, leads me to believe that it servedsome legitimate purpose back in the day, but what, and by whom. As far as provenance is concerned, notmuch to go on, it was purchased from the widow of a WWII Army veteran, who had an interest in collecting militaria during his life. So fellow collectors, that's as much as we can tell you. An interesting helmet to be sure.