M35 Army (Heer) subtle camouflage helmet SE66 named Hamacher Barthel

Beautiful M35 German helmet by ET, size 66, with the maker mark ET66 clearly stamped in the shell. Based on the lot number, this helmet can be identified as an originally double decal Heer example. The decals were removed at some point, most likely in connection with the 1940 regulations, and no visible traces remain today. It is a very attractive early helmet with a strong untouched look and a highly collectible size 66 shell.The exterior was later camouflage painted in a very subtle field-applied mix of sand and dark green tones. Through natural wear, the original early-war apple green or pea green factory finish can still be seen coming through underneath, which gives the helmet a very appealing layered character. In addition to this subdued camouflage, there are also faint traces and speckles of other colors visible across the surface. This is not a bright Normandy-style camouflage helmet, but rather a restrained and very honest combat-used example with excellent period character.The interior is especially nice and remains beautifully untouched. It still retains its early reinforced aluminium liner band, dated 1938, together with a very nice soft calfskin liner marked size 58. The original drawstring is still present, as is the original early chinstrap with aluminium buckle, showing excellent age and patina. The chinstrap is maker-marked Kurt Vogel, Cottbus, and although the exact date is difficult to read, it is clearly an early example. The inside of the shell still shows the characteristic early pea green paint, with some light surface rust visible in the dome under the liner. Both the liner and the shell are named, with 'Hamacher Barthel' marked in the liner and 'Hamacher' painted in white inside the shell.