Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice German Pre-WWII Issue M-31 helmet liner, as used with the M35, M40, and M42 "Stahlhelm" series of helmets. These were produced in three main patterns, with the earliest having a single ply aluminum band around the exterior. This worked well during the pre-war years, but it was found that the force from the chinstrap could easily deform the band, so from around 1937-1939 an additional layer of aluminum was used to support the chin strap loops on the second pattern. Then around 1939, to save aluminum for use in Aircraft, the liner band was changed to the much more durable galvanized steel, the third pattern, which was used until the end of the war.

This liner is of the first pattern, with a single ply aluminum outer band. These were definitely somewhat delicate, and this example does show a repair to the band on the left side. It had cracked through around one of the slots where the springs on the inner band mount to the outer band, a not uncommon place for a crack due to how little material there is to support it. It is otherwise in very nice shape, looking to have seen light to moderate service during the war.

The inner liner has all of the 8 fingers present and supple, and retains the original top tie, though it looks to have lost some length to it. The leather has matured to a lovely chestnut brown color, and is in very good condition, still supple with a bit of wear. The liner band is aluminum, with square aluminum chin strap loops attached without any side reinforcements. The left exterior of the liner band is marked 60 n.A / 53, indicating that this is a size 53 liner for a size 60 shell. The right side displays the full manufacture information, as well as a date:

Metall-Lederverarbeitung W.Z.
1937
Bln.- Ch'burg 5

This indicates production by the metal and leather working company Werner Zahn, based in Berlin - Charlottenburg, in the year 1937, which fits right into the pre-war period. There is no chinstrap attached, and these were made by separate companies that specialized only in leather.

Just what you need to outfit a size 60 helmet shell that has lost its liner!