Original Item: Only One Available. This is a lovely all original example of a 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 60% 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 service used condition overall. There are scuffs and scrapes consistent with service wear, as well as wear through on the crown area, which has allowed the metal to oxidize. There are however no large dents or major damage we can see, giving it a great look. The National Colors decal is retained at about 60%, showing wear and chipping. It looks like the black top bar was scratched off for some reason, probably during service. The Luftwaffe decal shows more wear, retained at probably about 40%, with large areas chipped away and oxidized. Both have had the enamel top coat yellow a little, giving them a great aged look!

The reverse, interior, neck guard apron is batch number stamped 4028, and the interior, left side, apron has a stamped manufacturer's code and size, SE66. This indicates it was manufactured by Sächsische Emaillier und Stanzwerke A.G. of Lauter, Germany in size 66. This is a nice large size that can accommodate size 58cm and 59cm liners, or 7 1/4 - 7 3/8 US. Shells of this large size are harder to find, and 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 steel 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 light flaking where the liner goes over the inner band, and it does look to have seen moderate 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. The right side displays the full manufacture information, as well as a date:

B. & C.
BERLIN
1939

This liner was made by Biedermann & Czarnikow, a German company who later moved operations to Łódź in occupied Poland to take advantage of the slave labor in the ghetto located there. NSDAP authorities renamed Łódź to Litzmannstadt in honor of the German General Karl Litzmann who had captured the city in the previous World War. This is exactly the right period and type of liner for this very early helmet. There are parts of a chinstrap attached to the liner, but they are in delicate condition, and have steel attachment studs, so it may be a service time replacement. The buckle is missing from the short side, and the long side is missing all of the size adjustment holes.

Overall a fantastic 100% genuine double decal Luftwaffe helmet with a great liner and very nice decals! This is a helmet that definitely looks like it went through a war! 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.