Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very interesting original German WWII Luftwaffe M35 double decal steel helmet shell, stamped Q66 for manufacture by F.W. Quist G.m.b.H. of Esslingen. The shell retains both its Luftwaffe eagle decal and National Colors decal, approximately 60% of its original smooth blue gray Fliegerblau finish, and extensive impact damage that gives it unusually dramatic visual presence. With no liner remaining and no known recovery history, the exact cause and circumstances of the damage cannot be confirmed, but the multiple dents, cracks, and substantial loss of steel make this a compelling relic display piece.

The M35 was the first major German steel helmet pattern of the rearmament period and was initially issued with two decals. On Luftwaffe examples, the branch eagle was worn on the left side and the National Colors shield on the right. The National Colors decal was discontinued for new issue in 1940, making surviving double decal M35 helmets particularly desirable to collectors. Later wartime orders further reduced the use of helmet decals, although earlier helmets frequently remained in service with their existing insignia.

The reverse interior neck guard is batch number stamped:

1408

The left interior apron is stamped:

Q66

The Q manufacturer code identifies F.W. Quist G.m.b.H. of Esslingen, Germany, while 66 indicates the shell size. This is one of the larger standard helmet sizes and was intended for liner assemblies in approximately the 58cm to 59cm range. Shells of this large size are harder to find, and more valuable to a collector.

The stamped steel shell retains approximately 60% of its original smooth semi-gloss blue gray Luftwaffe Fliegerblau paint. The finish shows substantial wear, scratches, and loss associated with the heavy damage to the shell, but enough survives to preserve the early M35 Luftwaffe appearance.

The National Colors decal on the right side is retained almost completely and remains one of the strongest visual features of the helmet. The Second Pattern Luftwaffe eagle decal on the left is approximately 60% present, with a substantial portion of the center missing. Despite that loss, enough of the eagle survives for the original double decal configuration to remain immediately apparent.

No liner, liner band, chinstrap, or other interior fitting is currently installed.

The shell shows extensive damage. On the right side are numerous dents that appear consistent with small caliber projectile strikes or other concentrated impacts. One or two similar dents are visible on the left side. The left skirt also has a pushed crack with a section of steel missing from the damaged area.

There is an additional dent on the left side of the crown that also appears consistent with an impact. The most substantial damage is concentrated on the right crown, where a crack measuring approximately 5 1/2" runs across the top of the helmet. A second crack extends approximately 2 1/2" to the left, and an adjacent section of the shell measuring approximately 4" x 1" is completely missing, having broken away from the surrounding steel.

The physical damage is certainly severe and visually consistent with violent impact, but unfortunately no information survives concerning where in Europe the helmet was recovered, who originally wore it, or the circumstances under which the shell was damaged. For that reason, while the damage may be combat related, we cannot confirm a specific battlefield event or cause.

For the German WWII helmet collector, this Q66 Luftwaffe M35 has considerable appeal as a dramatic relic shell. Its surviving double decal configuration, nearly complete National Colors shield, approximately 60% Luftwaffe eagle, original smooth Fliegerblau finish, clear Q66 and 1408 markings, and extensive period appearing damage give it a powerful display presence. It would be particularly well suited to a Luftwaffe helmet collection, battlefield relic display, or collection focused on damaged and heavily service worn German headgear.

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.