Original Item: Only One Available. This is a rare all original example of a German WWII Model 1935 "Former Double Decal" helmet, as issued to the Heer (Army). As an early war helmet, it was originally painted with early Apfelgrün (apple green) paint, which is the early war color with more green in the mix. It also was equipped with "double decals", with a Heer Eagle on the left side and a National Colors on the right. 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.

This helmet did not have the decals removed at that time, however the helmet had the exterior repainted with later war lightly textured panzergrau (armor gray) paint, which covered up both decals. Over time it saw additional service, leading to some wear to repainted finish on the exterior, which has removed some of the paint, giving it a fantastic "been there" look. Both decals are still present beneath the overpaint, and a bit of the original colors can be seen due to wear. Additionally, this helmet was "Shot Through" long ago during the war, which would almost certainly have killed the wearer if they had it on at the time. Definitely some great aspects to this lovely patinated helmet!

The reverse, interior, neck guard apron is batch number stamped 819 and the interior, left side, apron has a stamped manufacturer's code and size, Q66. This indicates it was manufactured by F.W. Quist G.m.b.H in Esslingen, Germany in size 66. This is a nice large size that can accommodate size 58cm and 59cm liners, or 7 1/4 - 7 3/8 US. Shells of this large size are harder to find, and more valuable to a collector.

The left front of the helmet shows a small caliber bullet entrance hole, which has removed the paint and bent the steel inwards. It clipped the top of the liner band, tore through the liner in the front, and then passed out of the rear of the helmet right next to the hole for the rear liner split pin. It went through the liner again as it exited, and the steel of the liner and the shell are both bent outwards. The size of the holes are consistent with a .30 caliber bullet, probably from one of the many rifles and machine guns in service during the war. The angle looks to have been from slightly above the helmet. Close inspection of the paint, style and aging of the edges lead us to be very confident that this totally 100% genuine.

The front two of the liner split pins are still present and in very good shape, with most of the original paint retained. The rear pin lost the top and was damaged when the bullet exited the rear of the helmet. The interior of the helmet still has the original M31 leather liner, which is partly intact, showing a lot of deterioration to the leather. The original top tie is still intact, but half of the tips of the liner "fingers" have torn away. The rest of the liner shows a dark color with surface cracking overall. We checked the side of the galvanized steel liner band, and it is marked over the left ear with 66 n.A / 58, indicating that this is a size 58 liner for a size 66 shell. The maker marking on the other side is very faint, and we can only see the "D.R.P" portion of what is probably a Schuberth-Werke maker mark. There is just a remnant of the original chinstrap still attached to one of the liner loops.

Overall a very nice 100% genuine M35 Former Double Decal Heer Army helmet, that saw service during WWII! The period service wear on this gives it an absolutely unique look! This is an item that will only continue to appreciate in value over time!

Overall a fantastic 100% genuine former double decal Heer helmet that was shot through in combat, ready to research and display! We do not get helmets like these very often at all. 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.