Original Item: Only One Available. This is a lovely all original example of a German WWII Luftwaffe M35 double decal steel helmet, stamped EF64 for manufacture by Emaillierwerke A.G. of Fulda. It retains over 90% of its original smooth semi-gloss blue gray Luftwaffe Fliegerblau finish, both original decals, its complete 1939 dated size 57cm M31 liner, and an original early pattern chinstrap. The strong surviving paint, desirable double decal configuration, and unusually complete liner assembly make this a particularly attractive early Luftwaffe helmet.

The M35 was the first major German steel helmet pattern of the rearmament period and was initially issued with two decals. On Luftwaffe helmets, the branch eagle was worn on the left side and the National Colors shield on the right. Luftwaffe regulations of June 12, 1940 discontinued the National Colors decal, while further regulations in 1943 ended the application of helmet decals altogether, although these directives were not always completely carried out in the field. The survival of both decals therefore gives this helmet especially strong early war character.

The stamped sheet steel shell retains over 90% of its original smooth semi-gloss blue gray Luftwaffe Fliegerblau paint. Later Luftwaffe helmet finishes became more textured, making the smooth early finish an important feature of this M35 example.

The exterior shows scuffs and scratches consistent with service wear, but there are relatively few areas where the finish has worn completely through, aside from greater wear around the lower rim. The shell is free from large dents or other major damage and presents extremely well overall.

The National Colors decal on the right side remains approximately 80% intact, showing wear and scratching. The Luftwaffe eagle on the left shows somewhat greater wear and is approximately 75% present, with much of the area around the legs worn away. The clear protective coating over both decals has yellowed slightly with age, giving them an attractive matured appearance.

The rear interior neck guard is batch number stamped:

13201

The left interior apron is stamped:

E.F.64

The EF manufacturer code identifies Emaillierwerke AG, of Fulda Germany in size 64. This is a nice medium size that can accommodate liners from 56cm to 57cm or US 7 to 7 1/8. Size 64 shells are harder to find and are therefore more valuable to a collector.

All three original liner retaining pins remain intact. Their paint is relatively well preserved overall, with some chipping visible on the right and rear pins. The underlying metal appears galvanized, which can contribute to finish loss as the surface ages.

The helmet retains its correct M31 liner with all 8 fingers present and still relatively supple. The original size adjustment string remains installed. The leather is somewhat darker than is often encountered and may have received a blue gray finish or treatment at some point, although we cannot confirm the exact nature of the coloration. Importantly, the liner is free from tears and other major damage and has matured very attractively.

The liner is mounted on the later reinforced aluminum band with square aluminum chinstrap loops, a pattern used shortly before production transitioned to galvanized steel liner bands.

The left exterior side of the liner band is marked:

64 n.A / 57

This indicates a size 57cm liner assembly intended for a size 64 helmet shell. The leather itself is additionally stamped with a 57 inside a circle.

The opposite side carries the full liner maker and date information:

SCHUBERTH-WERKE K.-G.
D. R. P.
1939
BRAUNSCHWEIG

This identifies production by Schuberth-Werke K.-G. of Braunschweig in 1939, making the liner entirely consistent in date and type with this early Luftwaffe M35 helmet.

An original early pattern chinstrap remains installed on the liner. It is fitted with an aluminum buckle and attachment studs. The leather has darkened considerably with age and shows evidence of long use.

The longer section of the chinstrap retains only eight of the original thirteen adjustment holes, indicating that it was shortened at some point. The leather also shows older cracking, with what appears to be leather adhesive used in the past to stabilize some of the more substantial cracks.

Condition overall is very good and especially strong from a display standpoint. The helmet retains more than 90% of its original smooth Fliegerblau finish, both early decals, all three liner pins, a complete 1939 dated Schuberth size 57 liner, and its original style chinstrap. The decal wear, shortened and repaired chinstrap, and minor finish loss are all fully visible, but the completeness, strong shell finish, and early double decal configuration make this an especially appealing Luftwaffe M35 for an advanced German WWII helmet or Luftwaffe collection.

More on Luftwaffe Helmets
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.