Original Item: Only One Available. This is an incredible all original example of a Model 1935 German early WWII "double decal" helmet, complete with original liner and chinstrap! 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 still retained at over 90%, with some scuffing and flaking from age, but no major damage. The National Colors decal is about the same, showing overall wear with some missing chips of the top coat. 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 over 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 with a fantastic lightly used patina!

The reverse, interior, neck guard apron is batch number stamped 3800, and the interior, left side, apron has a stamped manufacturer's code and size, E.F.64 indicating that indicating it was manufactured by Emaillierwerke AG, of Fulda Germany in size 64. 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 liner retaining pins are intact, with the paint well retained on all three, showing just a bit of chipping exposing the plating underneath. They are a slightly different color than the shell, so these are the type that were pre-painted prior to installation. The helmet still has its correct very good condition M31 liner with all of the 8 fingers present and supple. The liner also still has its original size adjustment string, and has matured to a lovely chestnut brown color. There is some flaking where the liner goes over the inner band, and it does look to have seen a good amount of use during the war. 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 64 n.A / 56, indicating that the liner band is a size 56, intended for a 64 shell. It is also maker marked and dated on the right side:

D.R.P.
SCHUBERTH - WERK
K.-G.
BRAUNSCHWEIG
1938

The chinstrap is mostly intact, and has the correct early war aluminum buckle and aluminum attachment studs. The leather is definitely a bit stiff and cracked, and there are only 10 of the original size adjustment holes present, as the end broke off. Fortunately it is included, and is actually maker marked and dated with OTTO JÄHNKE / BERLIN / 1938.

Overall a fantastic 100% genuine double decal Luftwaffe helmet with lovely decals a great look! We do not get helmets like these very often at all. Ready to 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.