An evolution of the 1935 pattern, the 1940 stahlhelm eliminated the grommeted vents in order to speed production. During 1940, the move away from the double decal pattern for Wehrmacht helmets began, partly to simplify production and partly out of concern that slapping a red and white sticker on the side of German helmets was doing the Allies a favor. This provides a limited window for issue of double decal 1940 helmets, made narrower by soldiers who chose to paint over their decals for camouflage purposes. This example has vehicle paint added to tone down the original painting. The red/white/black German tricolor and silver/black Heer eagle were masked off before painting, leaving them clear and legible. The interior has been hand painted in matching color, with "R803" and "NS 66" stamped inside the brim, a "BENSBERG/1937" stamp on the chinstrap, and brown leather webbing. See Headgear of Hitler's Germany page 310. Consignor indicates formerly of the George Peterson collection.