The rear lot number 764 places the helmet's production date to early 1941, according to Brian Ice's lot data book. This particular lot number 764 is shared with other known SS helmets. If you look at the wearer's left hand side, below the air vent where an Heer eagle would be, you can clearly see that no such decal has ever been placed there, proving this was and has always been an SS helmet. 

The inside liner system is well aged and all 3 split pins have never been touched or messed with, meaning the liner system is completely untouched since the end of the war. Another nice feature is that this particular helmet still has its original 1938 aluminum buckle chinstrap attached, and is stamped Franz Brehme Walsrode 1938.

One interesting characteristic of this particular find is the smooth brown patina on the top half of the outside dome. What caused this? likely it is due to the fact that this helmet would have had an SS camo cloth cover hooked over it for much of its time in battle, which would inevitably trap some moisture.

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