Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very good service used condition example of a German WWII M35 helmet shell, as issued to the Heer (Army), with very desirable "Double Decals". This stamped sheet steel construction helmet still retains the original early war smooth Apfel-grün (apple green) paint, however it shows much wear, so only about 40% still remains. The balance of the surface shows oxidation, past peppering, and other age related deterioration consistent with exposure to the elements.

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, so finding a helmet with both present is a rarity. The left side of the helmet features an aged Heer eagle decal, which is retained about 75%, showing overall wear and staining. The right side of the helmet features a national colors decal, which is retained about 75%, showing wear similar to the eagle.

The reverse, interior, neck guard apron is serial number stamped, B1 and the interior, left side, apron has a stamped manufacturer's code and size, NS66 indicating that Vereinigte Deutsche Nikelwerke, of Schwerte, Germany manufactured it in size 66. Size 66 is a nice large size that can accommodate liners from 58cm to 59cm or US 7 1/4 to 7 3/8. Size 66 shells are harder to find and are therefore more valuable to a collector.

All three original liner retaining pins are present with most of the original paint still intact. The interior of the helmet still has an original M31 leather liner with all eight fingers still present, showing wear and staining from service. The original top tie is missing, and there is also significant splitting in the forehead area where the liner bends over the inner band. The mid war issue galvanized steel liner band is marked on the left outer side with 66 n.A. / 58, indicating that the liner band is a size 58, intended for a 66 shell. The right side displays the full manufacture information, as well as a date:

The installed chinstrap is in very good condition, and is the wartime style with painted steel hardware and attachment studs. It still has all thirteen size adjustment holes, and has darkened and stretched over the years due to being placed over the front brim of the helmet. We can see a maker mark on the end of the longer section, but we cannot make out what it says.

The German Stahlhelm:
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.

In 1934 tests began on an improved Stahlhelm, whose design was a development of World War I models. The Eisenhüttenwerke company of Thale carried out prototype design and testing, with Dr. Friedrich Schwerd once again taking a hand.

The new helmet was pressed from sheets of molybdenum steel in several stages. The size of the flared visor and skirt was reduced, and the large projecting lugs for the obsolete armor shield were eliminated. The ventilator holes were retained, but were set in smaller hollow rivets mounted to the helmet's shell. The edges of the shell were rolled over, creating a smooth edge along the helmet. Finally, a completely new leather suspension, or liner, was incorporated that greatly improved the helmet's safety, adjustability, and comfort for each wearer. These improvements made the new M1935 helmet lighter, more compact, and more comfortable to wear than the previous designs.

The Army's Supreme Command officially accepted the new helmet on June 25, 1935 and it was intended to replace all other helmets in service.

The M1935 design was slightly modified in 1940 to simplify its construction, the manufacturing process now incorporating more automated stamping methods. The principal change was to stamp the ventilator hole mounts directly onto the shell, rather than utilizing separate fittings. In other respects, the M1940 helmet was identical to the M1935. The Germans still referred to the M1940 as the M1935, while the M1940 designation were given by collectors.

The last wartime upgrade to the standard helmet took place on 6 July 1942 at the request of the Army High Command. The rolled edge found on M1935 and M1940 helmets was discontinued as a measure of economy. On 1 August 1942 the first M1942 helmets were placed into production, and this was the model produced until late in the war, when most factories were captured or stood idle due to material shortages.