Original Item: Only One Available. This is an original German WWII Heer Army single decal M35 steel helmet manufactured by Sächsische Emaillier und Stanzwerke A.G. of Lauter, stamped SE66, and fitted with a 1939 dated size 58 M31 liner and a surviving but broken chinstrap. The shell retains approximately 85% of its early smooth Apfelgrün, or Apple Green, finish and shows evidence of an in-service overpaint, with darker green visible beneath in areas.

The exterior finish remains very well retained overall, with wear concentrated across the crown and sides. There is a dent and some chipping at the rear, while the interior paint is even better preserved. Multiple layers of paint are visible inside and out, which have softened the shell markings somewhat.

The left side retains a Heer eagle decal at approximately 75%. It shows light wear and age checking but still has a visible metallic sheen, together with the warm toned appearance caused by aging of the clear lacquer top coat. The checking has developed an attractive cracked surface pattern across the decal.

The left interior skirt is stamped:

SE66

identifying a size 66 shell by Sächsische Emaillier und Stanzwerke A.G. of Lauter, 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 rear skirt is lot numbered:

20860

All three original liner retaining pins remain present and retain most of their Apple Green finish.

The helmet retains its correct M31 leather liner with all eight fingers intact and the original top tie string still present. The leather has matured to a rich chestnut brown and remains in very good condition overall, with some flaking where it bends over the inner liner band but no major tearing noted.

The reinforced aluminum liner band is marked:

66 n.A. / 58

indicating a size 58 liner fitted to a size 66 shell. The opposite side is maker marked and dated:

SCHUBERTH - WERK K.-G.
D.R.P.
1939
BRAUNSCHWEIG

This identifies manufacture by Schuberth-Werk of Braunschweig in 1939.

The original chinstrap remains present and retains its aluminum buckle and attachment studs, but it is now delicate and incomplete as a functional strap. The longer section has torn completely into two pieces at approximately the location of the original fourth adjustment hole. Additional adjustment holes were added between the original holes during its service life.

Overall condition is very good, with strong surviving Apple Green finish, a substantial Heer decal, complete 1939 dated size 58 liner, all three liner pins, and the original chinstrap still associated with the helmet. The in-service overpaint, crown and side wear, rear dent and chipping, softened shell stamps, liner flaking, added chinstrap holes, and broken long strap section are all fully disclosed. It would display especially well in a Heer helmet, M35, SE manufactured, early war German headgear, or advanced German WWII combat helmet collection.

More on 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.

More than 1 million M1935 helmets were manufactured in the first two years after its introduction, and millions more were produced until 1940 when the basic design and production methods were changed, replacing the multi-piece riveted vent with one stamped directly into the steel. Later, in 1942 the rolled steel rim was removed from the pattern to further expedite production.