Original Item: Only One Available. This is a lovely original M1938 Luftschutz Gladiator German helmet, with a rare early single piece beaded shell. Shortly afterwards it was found that due to the size of the "skirt" it was more time efficient to add the skirt later, with welded seams on the sides. We thoroughly checked the shell, and there are no weld markings we can see. This example looks to have seen only light service during the war, and is in very good cosmetic condition.

The original dark blue paint on the shell is very well retained, showing light wear, with some chips and scuffs on the crown, as would be expected from use in service. It still has all three of the liner attachment split pins present, though there are no cork pads, as the liner system used in this helmet does not use them. The LUFTSCHUTZ decal is about 85% complete, showing overall light wear and some age-related degradation.

The inner skirt is maker-marked with stamping into the steel with RL 2 - 39/21. These markings would seem to indicate that the helmet was made in 1939, though we do not know if any records were kept of the maker. It may be that it was made under a 1939 contract. There is no decal/paint stamp under this. 

The liner in the helmet is a standard leather German WWI style, with the three larger panels attached to a liner band, which we often see in Luftschutz helmets. The panels are attached to a black oilcloth covered fiber band. It is in very good condition, showing light use with the leather is still supple, but the top tie string is gone. The size 57 is stamped on one of the tongues. The original pressed-paper chinstrap is present and intact, showing wear and wrinkling to the finish.

Overall a lovely German WWII M38 Luftschutz helmet with a great look. Ready to research 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 organization's 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.