{"product_id":"original-german-wwii-heer-army-single-decal-m35-steel-helmet-with-1938-dated-56cm-liner-and-chinstrap-stamped-se64","title":"Original German WWII Heer Army Single Decal M35 Steel Helmet with 1938 Dated 56cm Liner and Chinstrap, Stamped SE64","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is an original German WWII Heer Army single decal M35 steel helmet, stamped \u003cstrong\u003eSE64\u003c\/strong\u003e and lot numbered \u003cstrong\u003e3842\u003c\/strong\u003e, retaining its early smooth \u003cem\u003eApfelgrün\u003c\/em\u003e apple green finish and fitted with a \u003cstrong\u003e1938\u003c\/strong\u003e dated size \u003cstrong\u003e56\u003c\/strong\u003e M31 liner and early pattern chinstrap. The helmet shows a strong service used appearance, with extensive exterior wear, oxidation, and a substantially worn Heer eagle decal.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe shell retains original smooth apple green paint with no obvious evidence of a later overpaint. Much of the crown has lost its finish, and there are large areas of paint loss along the sides where the exposed steel has oxidized. A dent is present low on the left side of the skirt beneath the vent hole. The Heer eagle decal on the left side is approximately 50% retained, with much of the upper left portion scratched away while the lower right remains substantially intact. The surviving silver areas remain comparatively bright.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe right side shows a nearly square area of paint removal beneath the vent hole where a national colors decal would normally have been located on an early M35. No decal remains, so it cannot be proven that this was originally a double decal helmet, but the 1938 liner and the localized removal pattern are consistent with that possibility.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe left interior skirt is stamped:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSE64\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eidentifying a size 64 shell manufactured by \u003cem\u003eSächsische Emaillier und Stanzwerke A.G.\u003c\/em\u003e of Lauter, Germany. This is a nice medium size that can accommodate liners from 56cm to 57cm or US 7 to 7 1\/8. Size 64 shells are harder to find and are therefore more valuable to a collector.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe rear interior skirt is lot numbered:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e3842\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll three original liner split pins remain present. Their solid nickel alloy heads have lost most of their original paint and now show an even aged patina. The original M31 leather liner retains all eight fingers and its top securing tie. The leather has developed a dark chestnut brown tone and remains supple, with only minor flaking where it folds over the liner band. A size \u003cstrong\u003e56\u003c\/strong\u003e stamp is also present on the leather.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe reinforced aluminum liner band is marked:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e64 n.A. \/ 56\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eand on the opposite side:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eB. \u0026amp; C.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBERLIN\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e1938\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eidentifying a 1938 dated size 56 liner by Biedermann \u0026amp; Czarnikow of Berlin. This company later moved operations to Łódź in occupied Poland to take advantage of the slave labor in the ghetto located there. NSDAP authorities renamed Łódź to Litzmannstadt in honor of the German General Karl Litzmann who had captured the city in the previous World War. The reinforced aluminum construction is appropriate to the early production period represented by this helmet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn early pattern leather chinstrap remains attached, with aluminum buckle and attachment studs. All thirteen adjustment holes are present and there are no major tears. The strap has been stored over the front visor for an extended period, which has caused drying and some stretching.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOverall condition is very good and clearly service used, with strong early production features and a well matched 1938 liner. The principal condition issues are extensive exterior paint loss and oxidation, the dent to the lower left skirt, approximately 50% Heer decal retention, minor liner flaking, and drying and stretching to the chinstrap.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith its SE64 shell, 3842 lot number, 1938 dated Biedermann \u0026amp; Czarnikow size 56 liner, early aluminum liner band, surviving chinstrap, apple green finish, and worn Heer decal, this is a strong early M35 combat helmet. It would display especially well in a Heer combat helmet, early M35, SE manufactured helmet, prewar or early war headgear, or advanced German WWII helmet collection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45623937663045,"sku":"ONSV26CC125","price":995.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/F002B101-9D50-4AF8-9202-5B1FD781A0DE.jpg?v=1787944355","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-german-wwii-heer-army-single-decal-m35-steel-helmet-with-1938-dated-56cm-liner-and-chinstrap-stamped-se64","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}