Original Item: Only One Available. This is an original German WWII Luftwaffe double-decal M35 steel helmet manufactured by Sächsische Emaillier und Stanzwerke A.G. of Lauter, Germany, with the shell stamped SE64 and lot numbered 3796. It retains approximately 60% of its original smooth semi-gloss Fliegerblau, or “Flyer’s Blue,” finish, a heavily worn 2nd Pattern Luftwaffe eagle decal, remnants of the National Colors shield, and a later-installed original 1931-dated M31 liner.

The stamped sheet steel shell retains the smooth early Luftwaffe finish used before the later textured combat paints became standard. The exterior shows heavy service wear with scuffs, scrapes, and wear through on the crown that has allowed some oxidation to develop. The Luftwaffe eagle decal is approximately 50% retained with chipping and yellowing from the aged lacquer top coat, while the National Colors decal is only about 30% retained with substantial loss and bubbling exposing better preserved blue paint beneath.

The reverse, interior, neck guard apron is serial number stamped 3796 and the interior, left side, apron has the stamped manufacturer's code and size, SE64 indicating that it was manufactured by Sächsische Emaillier und Stanzwerke A.G. of Lauter, Germany. Size 64 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.

All three original liner split pins are present. Their solid nickel alloy heads have lost most of the original paint and now display an aged patina, and are quite loose. The helmet retains a later-added original M31 leather liner with all eight fingers intact, though the top tie string is missing. The leather shows staining and age, has become somewhat stiff, and has some staining. The aluminum band is heavily dented on both sides, and therefore is a bit loose to the helmet. It has reinforced sides and square aluminum chinstrap loops. The left side is marked 64, indicating it is meant to fit a Size 64 helmet, and the opposite side is marked:

SCHUBERTH-WERKE A·G
BRAUNSCHWEIG
1931

There is a reproduction chinstrap installed with replicated markings, which has been aged to match the condition of the helmet.

The German M35 helmet represented a major refinement of the earlier M16 and M18 steel helmets of WWI. Introduced in 1935, the M35 used a smaller and lighter shell with a rolled edge, separate ventilation bushings, and a redesigned liner system. Early examples were finished with smooth paint and initially carried two decals representing the wearer’s branch and national colors.

The Luftwaffe adopted its helmet eagle in 1935, with the later 2nd Pattern eagle replacing the earlier design during the latter half of the 1930s. Regulations issued in 1940 discontinued the National Colors shield, while later wartime directives further reduced the use of helmet decals, although existing helmets were not always brought into exact conformity with these orders.

The combination of the SE64 shell marking, lot number 3796, surviving smooth Fliegerblau finish, remnants of both Luftwaffe decals, original nickel-alloy split pins, and early 1931 Schuberth-Werke M31 liner makes this an interesting early Luftwaffe helmet assembly. The replaced liner, loose pins, heavily dented liner band, and reproduction chinstrap are important condition considerations, but the original shell, finish, and surviving double-decal configuration remain the principal historical features of the helmet.

More on Luftwaffe Helmets-
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.

The 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.

The 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.