Chinese KMT M35 Helmet- Japanese Capture Souvenir

Interesting example of a WWII Chinese KMT German contract M35 helmet. Maker/size marked ET66, lot # 2933. This helmet was captured by a Japanese soldier, brought back to Japan and then ” liberated” by an American GI during the occupation of Japan. It was then brought back to the USA  after the defeat of Japan and recently came out of the woodwork. Between 1935 and 1937 China ordered 220,000 German made M35 helmets to equip its armed forces. The bulk of the order was filled by the Eisenhüttenwerk AG company, and is marked ET inside of the helmets skirt. The helmet is in overall excellent condition maintaining its pea green helmet color. It has an intact leather liner, with aluminum liner band and typical M35 liner and chinstrap bale features. There is a glued label over the stenciled Chinese sun insignia, part of the stencil can be seen where the label has flaked off. The label has penciled Japanese kanji that translates to “Presented to Japanese High School“. There are painted inscriptions inside on the helmets interior visor that read ” Chinese Steel Helmet” and skirt which reads ” Awarded as a gift, August 17, 1939 upon my return anniversary, Aoto Shigeru ” Only Bank transfer accepted as payment from international buyers.