Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very good condition all original example of a German WWII M35 helmet shell, as issued to the Heer (Army), produced with very desirable "Double Decals". It definitely has some characteristics we haven't really seen before, and definitely looks to have led and interesting life. This stamped sheet steel construction helmet still retains much of the early war smooth Apfel-grün (apple green) paint on the exterior, however in areas where it is scratched away, we can actually see what looks to be Luftwaffe Fliegerblau (flyer's blue) smooth paint. We assume that as such a small size helmet, it may have painted but never completed at the factory, and then when an extra small Heer Army helmet was requested, it was repainted and out fit for issue.

The apple green paint is now present on the interior and exterior of the helmet, showing moderate wear from service. There are scratches and other damage, but it is still retained at about 90%, showing wear through to the Flyer's Blue under coat, and also some tiny areas where the paint is chipped through to the steel. The use of the second decal was discontinued in 1940, and in 1943 it was ordered that helmets with the national colors have them removed. The decal on this helmet however escaped that fate, and it still had both decals present, however the Heer Eagle was partly "Sanitized" by having the swas partly removed, while the rest of the decal is well retained. The "National Colors" decal however looks to have been damaged, and unfortunately a collector painted over it with black, yellow, and red, the colors of Weimar and Modern Germany. We still can clearly see the decal underneath however. Definitely lots of history here!

The reverse, interior, neck guard apron is serial number stamped 4028 and the interior, left side, apron has the stamped manufacturer's code and size, SE60 indicating that it was manufactured by Sächsische Emaillier und Stanzwerke A.G. of Lauter, Germany. Size 60 is the smallest shell size produced during the war, and can accommodate liners from 52cm to 53cm or US 6 1/2 to 6 5/8. Shells this small are extremely rare, and we have only had a handful, even when compared to the extra large size 68.

All three of the original liner split pins are present, however they have nickel alloy heads, which has caused much of the original paint to wear off. 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, which looks to be a shoelace. The leather is still in great shape, showing a lovely chestnut color and no major wear just some light splitting over the edge of the inner band. The liner band is aluminum, with square aluminum chin strap loops attached to reinforced sides. This is the last pattern before the move to galvanized steel bands, as aluminum was scarce. The left exterior liner band over the left ear is marked 60 n.A / 53, indicating that this is a size 53 liner for a size 60 shell. There is also a 53 in a circle size stamp on the leather. The right side displays the full manufacture information, as well as a date:

D.R.P.
SCHUBERTH - WERK
K.-G.
BRAUNSCHWEIG
1938

This fits right into the immediate pre-war period, and is completely correct for this helmet.

The helmet still has a very nice early pattern chinstrap installed, which has the correct aluminum buckle and attachment studs. The longer section still has all 13 size adjustment holes, so it has not been shortened, however the leather definitely shows overall age and degradation, with surface cracking and a bit of dry rot. There is a tear near the buckle, which is why there is some thin wire wrapped around the area to secure it.

Overall a very interesting 100% genuine Extra Small M35 Double Decal Heer Army helmet shell with a complete liner and chinstrap! 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.