German Helmet - What can you tell me about it?

My great-uncle gave me this German helmet back in the early 1990's when I was a teenager. He was a veteran of World War II, but this was not a relic brought back from him. I am not sure how he originally acquired it. Is this an authentic German helmet issued prior to or during World War II, or is it a post-war model mad up to look like it is from World War II? Is there any other useful information that can be determined from the markings?

Thank you for having a look. Images can be seen here: GERMAN HELMET

 

I believe the "n.A" in the first photo stands for the German "Neu Art" or new pattern. This was the basic WW2 helmet which was different from the WW1 pattern.

 

I also realize that it is missing two of the split pins or rivets that hold the liner in. I plan on buying some original or reproduction ones to make the helmet whole.

 

Looks like an M35 or an M40. Not any kind of expert though.

 

The helmet is an M35 model, while the 66 and 59 markings on the liner band refer to helmet shell size and head size the liner was meant to fit. The number 821 is the manufacturers lot/batch number run. There should also be another stamp on the inner rim consisting of either 2 or 3 letters and 2 numbers which indicate the helmet shell size and the factory where it was produced.

The eagle and tricolour decals on the shell were used by the Heer (army). However the outer colour of the helmet appears to by blue which would indicate Luftwaffe use. Is the outer paint colour actually blue or has your camera flash distorted the colour?

 

I've looked and looked over every inch of the inner part of the shell, and I cannot find any other markings except the 821...which is one of the reasons I was wondering if the helmet was the real deal. I will take another close, however.

As for the color, when I get a chance I will take another picture outdoors in natural light, to see exact color.