Original Item: Only One Available. This is a fantastic all original example Model 1935 German WWII "double decal" helmet with a 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!

This stamped sheet steel construction helmet retains 90+% of the original correct smooth semi-gloss blue-gray Luftwaffe fliegerblau (flyer's blue) used on early helmets, which would later become textured, and is in very good condition overall. There are some scuffs and scrapes consistent with service wear, as well as a bit of wear through, but there is no major damage. The National Colors decal is retained at about 80%, with checking from age and some wear through. The Luftwaffe decal is really great, retained at about 90%, showing some wear and scratches. Both have had the enamel top coat yellow a little, giving them a great aged look!

The reverse, interior, neck guard apron is heat lot number stamped 4292 and the interior, left side, apron has the stamped manufacturer's code and size, ET66 indicating that it was manufactured by Eisenhüttenwerk AG of Thale, located in the Harz district in Saxony, Germany. Size 66 is a nice larger size that can accommodate liners from 58cm to 59cm or US 7 1/4 to 7 5/8. Size 66 shells are harder to find and are therefore more valuable to a collector.

All three liner split pins are still intact, however they all have nickel silver alloy heads, which has resulted in a good amount of the original finish flaking off. The helmet still has its correct M31 liner with all of the 8 fingers present and supple, and retains the original top tie. The leather has matured to a lovely chestnut brown color, and is in very good condition, still supple with minimal tearing. It is even still marked with a size 59 in a circle. 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, as aluminum was scarce. The left side of the band is marked with 66 n.A. / 59, indicating that it is a size 58 liner for a size 66 shell. The right side displays the full manufacture information, as well as a date:

Metallwarenfabrik
1939
F.W.M.

This indicates 1939 production by F.W. Müller Jr. in Berlin, which fits right into the period. The attached chinstrap is in very good condition, and we were unfortunately not able to locate any markings on it. It has the mid to late war galvanized steel hardware, so it may be original, or a period replacement.

Overall a fantastic totally correct 100% genuine double decal Luftwaffe helmet, ready to display! We do not get helmets like these very often at all. This is an item that will only continue to appreciate in value over time!

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.