Original Item: Only One Available. This is an incredible all original example of a Model 1935 German early WWII "double decal" helmet shell, complete with an original unit-marked liner! It features 2nd pattern Luftwaffe Eagle decal on the left side, and a "National Colors" decal on the right. The use of the second decal was discontinued in 1940, and in 1943 it was ordered that helmets with the national colors have them removed, so finding a helmet with both still intact is a real treat!

The Luftwaffe decal is probably around 75%, with some areas flaked away, and in the past someone used white paint to "touch it up". Most is however still untouched, and has a lovely pattern of age checking on the decal. The National Colors decal is better retained at about 90%, showing light overall wear as well as age related checking. Both have discolored slightly due to the lacquer top coat yellowing over the years. The paint is the correct smooth blue-gray Luftwaffe fliegerblau (flyer's blue) used on early helmets, which would later become textured, and is well retained at about 85%. There are some areas of wear and paint loss, but nothing out of line with wear from service. There is also no major oxidation or rust, indicating that this helmet has been well cared for in the intervening years. Just a great example of an early WWII period helmet shell with a fantastic lightly used patina!

The reverse, interior, neck guard apron is batch number stamped, 339 and the interior, left side, apron has a stamped manufacturer's code and size, SE68 indicating that it was manufactured by Sächsische Emaillier und Stanzwerke A.G. of Lauter, Germany. Size 68 is a rare extra large size that can accommodate liners from 60cm to 61cm or US 7 1/2 to 7 5/8. Size 68 shells are the hardest to find and are therefore the most valuable to a collector. All three liner retaining pins are intact, with their original paint very well retained. The are however missing the slotted washers on the interior, as those would not be able to be used with such a small liner in the helmet.

The included very good condition M31 liner still has all of the 8 fingers present and supple. The liner also still has its original size adjustment string, and overall there is only moderate wear to the liner, with no tears, cuts, or other damage. The liner band is aluminum, with square aluminum chin strap loops attached to reinforced sides. This is the last pattern before the move to galvanized steel bands. The left exterior of the liner band is marked 62 n.A / 55, indicating that it is a size 55 liner for a size 62 shell. It is stamped 55 in a circle on one of the fingers as well. The right side has the full maker information clearly stamped:

Metall-Lederverarbeitung W.Z.
1938
Bln.- Ch'burg 5

This indicates production by the metal and leather working company Werner Zahn, based in Berlin - Charlottenburg, in the year 1938, which fits right into the immediate pre-war period. More important however are the markings on the under side of the liner, which included another size 55 stamp, as well as a unit marking which reads as follows:-

[III. / K. G. 255 ]
1937
I

K.G. usually stands for Kavalleriegeschütz (Cavalry Howitzer), so this looks to have been in use with some type of artillery unit in the Luftwaffe. We did note that the date is earlier than that on the liner band, so the internal band and leather may have been swapped out at some point.

Overall a fantastic 100% genuine double decal Luftwaffe helmet shell with lovely decals a great look! The liner is also a great example, with some great research potential! We do not get helmet offereings like these very often at all. Ready to research and display!

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.