This is an original WWII German manufactured M40 beaded civic helmet set. There are two schools of thought regarding beaded helmets; some collectors believe that when a helmet was rejected for combat use it underwent a process where a ridge or "bead" was pressed into the helmet's diameter in order to quickly differentiate it from combat-approved helmets. These beaded examples were then issued to civil defense units - like the Luftschutz or Volkssturm. Others infer that these helmets were designed with the bead in mind prior to the pressing as they are of a lighter weight steel and metallurgical tests seem to indicate that the bead was pressed during the initial forming of the helmet and not at a later time upon finding a defect in the steel. Either way, the helmet's original feldgrau finish is in excellent condition. The inside brim is size stamped NS64, along with the lot number of DN26, denoting 1940 production by the Vereinigte Deutsche Nickelwerke, Schwerte factory. The interior retains its original size 57 leather liner, drawstring, and chinstrap. The cork spacers are square, denoting wartime installation. The helmet's split pins and washers are all original and show no signs of tampering.