{"product_id":"original-german-wwii-luftschutz-air-defense-m38-beaded-gladiator-helmet-with-56cm-liner-and-broken-chinstrap-dated-1938","title":"Original German WWII Luftschutz Air Defense M38 Beaded Gladiator Helmet with 56cm Liner and Broken Chinstrap - dated 1938","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is an M1938 Beaded Luftschutz Gladiator German helmet, which looks to have seen moderate service during the WWII era. The exterior of this German helmet retains about 85% of the original dark blue paint, showing overall wear, with some denting on the crown, which is now a bit flat. The rolled edge is missing a good amount of the paint, which is not uncommon, and there is some oxidation on the underside of the front visor. The helmet all three of its original hollow liner-attachment rivets, all showing oxidation on the heads. The front two have cork spacers on the outside of the liner, while the rear does not have a spacer, and does not look to have had one in the past. The \u003cstrong\u003eLUFTSCHUTZ\u003c\/strong\u003e decal is in good condition, retained at over 90% with just a bit of wear on the lower front.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe inner skirt is maker marked with stamping into the steel with \u003cstrong\u003eRL 2 - 38 \/ 28\u003c\/strong\u003e. These markings would seem to indicate that the helmet was made in 1938, though we do not know if any records were kept of the maker. It may be that it was made under a 1938 contract.  Below is a original Luftschutz helmet information decal \/ paint stamp, which is almost completely intact and legible, though a bit faded:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ccenter\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHöchstpreis 8.00 RM\u003cbr\u003eVertrieb genehmigt\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003egemäß § 8 Luftschutzgesetz\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKopfweite 56\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/center\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis indicates the distribution information and size:\u003cem\u003e Distribution approved according to Section 8 Air protection legislation. Head Width 56. Highest Price 8.00 Reichsmark.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe liner in the helmet is a standard leather German WWI style, with the three larger panels attached to a liner band, which we often see in Luftschutz helmets. The panels have padding pockets on the reverse, and are attached to a black oilcloth covered fiber band. It is in very good service used condition, showing moderate use with the leather still supple, though the top tie is missing, and the both eyelets on one panel are torn through. There is however some dry rot on the leather surface, and some wear and tearing of the black oilcloth over the liner band. The original double buckle chinstrap is present, but torn through, with the remaining leather in delicate condition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis German WWII M1938 beaded Luftschutz helmet retains approximately 85% of its original dark-blue finish, more than 90% of its Luftschutz decal, and a largely legible interior distribution and price marking for size 56. The three-panel leather liner, oilcloth-covered fiber band, and original double-buckle chinstrap remain present, although the top tie is missing, one liner panel has torn eyelets, and both the leather and oilcloth show age-related deterioration and tearing. Exterior wear includes paint loss along the rolled edge, oxidation beneath the visor, and denting that has flattened part of the crown. Despite these condition issues, the helmet remains a substantially complete example with strong surviving exterior and interior markings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFormed in late 1932 the \u003cem\u003eDeutsches Luftschutzverband\u003c\/em\u003e, (German Air Protection League), was a voluntary organization designed to provide civil air raid protection in large civilian centers. Shortly after AH ascension to power the \u003cem\u003eDeutsches Luftschutzverband\u003c\/em\u003e was restructured and placed under the supervision of the \u003cem\u003eReichsluftfahrtministerium\u003c\/em\u003e, (National Air Ministry), under the control of Hermann Göring. On April 29TH 1933 the \u003cem\u003eDeutsches Luftschutzverband\u003c\/em\u003e was renamed RLB, \u003cem\u003eReichs Luftschutz Bund\u003c\/em\u003e, (National Air Raid Protection League) and was given status as an official national organization tasked with all aspects of civil air raid defense. The RLB remained a voluntary organization with a small cadre of paid, full-time uniformed officials to oversee the organization's functions until June 1935 when obligatory service was introduced. Only the most basic uniform and equipment items were supplied to the cadre personnel, with the rest having to be bought personally by members. On September 26TH 1938 a specific helmet for RLB personnel was introduced that incorporated a raised horizontal \"bead\" between the visors and crown. These helmets commonly called the \"Gladiator\" style were supplemented with M35, M40 and M42 helmets that also incorporated a raised horizontal \"bead\" between the visors and crown. The Luftschutz also utilized a variety of captured helmets.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45409099382853,"sku":"ONSV25MDF120","price":395.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/A9E3EAFE-E613-4EA0-8C8D-EB9D7BAA17CB.jpg?v=1785178613","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-german-wwii-luftschutz-air-defense-m38-beaded-gladiator-helmet-with-56cm-liner-and-broken-chinstrap-dated-1938","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}