Original Item: Only One Available. This is a lovely service used genuine steel construction M34 Civic "Square Dip" Third Reich helmet, outfitted for German WWII Reich Luftschutz Bund (RLB) Civil Air Defense use. It features the correct early issue steel blue paint and an RLB Emblem decal on the front of the helmet. It has two domed "Salt shaker" vents on each side, only seen on the earliest examples of the M34. The RLB officially only were issued these helmets 1934 to 1938, when the M-38 "Gladiator" helmet came into use, and a new "Luftschutz" decal was designed.

The helmet still has a good amount of the original paint, however the top of the helmet shows multiple large dents, and also areas of oxidation where the paint is missing. It definitely looks to have seen extensive service during the war, and may not have been treated gently. The decal is retained at about 80%, showing overall wear and a good amount of fading to the colors. The three permanent hollow liner rivets are still present, retaining some of the original paint, however only the rear rivet retains the cork spacers. Also the right front rivet has had the pressed fiber liner band detach from it.

The liner in this helmet is made from leather over a pressed fiber band, without any padding that we can see, or evidence that there was any there. It is a 7 finger civic style liner with vent perforations in the front, and still retains the top tie, though it looks like it could be a period replacement shoelace. We were not able to see any size indication, and the chinstrap is almost completely missing, with just some remnants attached to the liner.

Overall a lovel "salty" service worn early German WWII M34 Luftschutz helmet with a fantastic well used look! Ready to add to your collection and display!

Formed in late 1932 the Deutsches Luftschutzverband, (German Air Protection League), was a voluntary organization designed to provide civil air raid protection in large civilian centers. Shortly after AH ascension to power the Deutsches Luftschutzverband was restructured and placed under the supervision of the Reichsluftfahrtministerium, (National Air Ministry), under the control of Hermann Göring. On April 29TH 1933 the Deutsches Luftschutzverband was renamed RLB, Reichs Luftschutz Bund, (National Air Raid Protection League) and was given status as an official national organization tasked with all aspects of civil air raid defense. The RLB remained a voluntary organization with a small cadre of paid, full-time uniformed officials to oversee the organizations functions until June 1935 when obligatory service was introduced. Only the most basic uniform and equipment items were supplied to the cadre personnel, with the rest having to be bought personally by members. On September 26TH 1938 a specific helmet for RLB personnel was introduced that incorporated a raised horizontal "bead" between the visors and crown. These helmets commonly called the "Gladiator" style were supplemented with M35, M40 and M42 helmets that also incorporated a raised horizontal "bead" between the visors and crown. The Luftschutz also utilized a variety of captured helmets.