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.

The exterior of this German helmet retains about 80% of the original dark blue paint, showing light overall wear, with some scuffing and scratching across the top of of the dome. There are some small dents, but nothing major, and the paint on the interior is very well retained. The LUFTSCHUTZ decal is still present, but shows overall wear to the top coat, which has made the design and text a bit faint, while the silver under layer is still well retained. The three liner attachment hollow rivets are all present, and retain almost all of the original paint, with the large cork spacer washers still in place on the front two.

The reverse, interior, neck guard apron is serial number stamped DN225 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.

The interior has remnants of an original liner still present, which looks to have been a WWI three panel type, in this case with a pressed paper liner band and leather panels. One of the panels is still present, however it is partially torn off and in delicate condition. None of the chinstrap or leather tabs for a neck guard remain.

M40 Beaded Luftschutz helmet shells are one of the rarer varieties of the Luftschutz style and hard to find. This is a very nice example, 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.