Original Item: Only One Available. This is an very good condition example of a hard to find genuine steel construction M40 "Beaded" Third Reich helmet shell, outfitted for German WWII Luftschutz Civil Air Defense use. These helmets were essentially like the Military issue, however the steel was not as thick or as high quality. They were given a "bead" around the edge, to avoid mixing them up with the military version. This example has lost the liner and chinstrap, though it still retains two of the three split pins.

The exterior of this German helmet retains about 60% of the original dark blue paint, with overall wear, particularly on the right side. There is also a significant dent on that side, probably from something falling on the helmet while in service.. The LUFTSCHUTZ decal is still present, but shows overall wear to the top coat, which has made the design faint, while the silver under layer is still well retained. The shell overall looks to have seen a good amount of use, and has a lovely "service worn" look. Of interest is that when the helmet was made, the left vent hole was not drilled out correctly, so the hole is off to one side, and there are still remnants of the central stamp out.

The reverse, interior, neck guard apron is serial number stamped DN212 and the interior, left side, apron has the stamped manufacturer's code and size, Q64 indicating that it was manufactured by F.W. Quist G.m.b.H. in the German city of Esslingen. Size 64 is a nice smaller 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.

M40 Beaded Luftschutz helmets are one of the rarer varieties of the Luftschutz style and hard to find. This is a very nice service used shell, and sure to appreciate in value over the years.

Formed in late 1932 the Deutsches Luftschutzverband, (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 Deutsches Luftschutzverband was restructured and placed under the supervision of the Reichsluftfahrtministerium, (National Air Ministry), under the control of Hermann Göring. On April 29TH 1933 the Deutsches Luftschutzverband was renamed RLB, Reichs Luftschutz Bund, (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.