Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very good condition all original example of a German WWII M35 helmet as issued to the Heer (Army), with very desirable period Textured Camouflage paint job and 1st pattern liner. It looks like it may at some point have had a decal on the left side, but it is now removed, and overall the exterior show a lovely service used look, with a good amount of the original textured finish still present. We can also see wear through to the shell, and other areas that were overpainted with tan. Really a great looking helmet with an impossible to duplicate look!

The reverse, interior, neck guard apron is batch number stamped 20982, and the interior, left side, apron has a stamped manufacturer's code and size, E.F.62 indicating that indicating it was manufactured by Emaillierwerke AG, of Fulda Germany in size 62. This is a nice smaller size that can accommodate liners from 54cm to 55cm or US 6 3/4 to 6 7/8.

All three of the original liner split pins are present and retain the original paint very well, showing just a bit of loss due to chipping. The interior of the helmet still has the original M31 leather liner with all eight of its fingers intact, complete with the top securing strap. The leather is still relatively supple, but definitely shows that the helmet saw much service. It is stained overall, now showing a lovely chestnut brown color, and there are some small tears and other damage around the rim. The liner band is aluminum, with square aluminum chin strap loops attached without any side reinforcements. Later Pre-war examples would have a double layer of aluminum on the side to prevent bending, which this liner definitely shows. It is marked with 62 on the left outer side, and there are very faint markings on the right side, which we are not able to read. There is no chinstrap attached to the liner.

Overall a fantastic 100% genuine M35 Heer Army textured camouflage helmet with loads of history and a complete 1st pattern liner! This is an item that will only continue to appreciate in value over time!

The first "modern" steel helmets were introduced by the French army in early 1915 and were shortly followed by the British army later that year. With plans on the drawing board, experimental helmets in the field, ("Gaede" helmet), and some captured French and British helmets the German army began tests for their own steel helmet at the Kummersdorf Proving Grounds in November, and in the field in December 1915. An acceptable pattern was developed and approved and production began at Eisen-und Hüttenwerke, AG Thale/Harz, (Iron and Foundry Works), in the spring of 1916.

These first modern M16 helmets evolved into the M18 helmets by the end of WWI. The M16 and M18 helmets remained in usage through-out the Weimar Reichswehr, (National Defence Force, Circa 1919-1933), era and on into the early years of the Third Reich until the development of the smaller, lighter M35 style helmet in June 1935.

The Luftwaffe pattern national eagle was originally introduced for wear by Fliegerschaft, (Pilot Base), personnel of the DLV, Deutscher Luftsportsverband, (German Air Sports Association), the clandestine, civilian, forerunner of the Luftwaffe on August 18TH 1934, and adopted for wear by the Luftwaffe on March 1ST 1935 along with the national tri-color shield for wear on the helmet.

The first pattern national eagle was utilized until a modified second pattern eagle was introduced in late 1936 or early 1937. Regulations of June 12TH 1940 discontinued the use of the national tri-color decal and further regulations of August 28TH 1943 abolished the national eagle decal and dictated that it was also to be removed from all helmets although the directives were not completely adhered to.