Original German WWII Luftwaffe Police Inspector Major Rudolf Bindner Large Document and Photo Research Grouping with Luftwaffe Police Helmet
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Original Items: One-of-a-Kind Set. This is a fantastic German WWII Luftwaffe Document and Photo grouping named to Luftwaffe Police Inspector Major Rudolf Bindner, which comes with his very rare Luftwaffe Police helmet, which is in itself exceedingly rare. The documents included track Bindner's life during the Weimar period into the NSDAP period, and then into the war. He was a member of some of the volunteer military units during the Weimar period, though there is not any information regarding whether he saw service during WWI. He was a part of the NSFK Flying Corps, as well as the SA, and looks to have been much more involved in administration than combat.
He acquitted himself well during his service, and there are several commendations in the documents, including some signed by Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring, and even a one signed by der Führer Adolf H. We do not know if these are actual or autopen signatures, however they are on thick heavyweight paper, and are not the usual type of commendations we see. Some are types of documents that we have not even seen before. These are all assembled into a large pamphlet inside a dust cover marked Major Rudolf B i n d n e r, much in the way that documents were marked in WWII Germany. Many of the documents have been glued to the pages of this scrapbook.
As best we can tell, during the war Bindner eventually became a type of Luftwaffe Inspector, linked with the Civic Police, and he looks to have investigated Crashes as well as been responsible for inspecting factories. There are numerous photos of crash sights, as well as those of factories, and lots of diagrams included in the binder, representing months or even years of research potential. Towards the end there are even what look to be paintings, which possibly were done to pass the time later in the war. Truly a remarkable binder that really gives an inside look into the life of a Luftwaffe Inspector.
The helmet that comes with the grouping is a lovely original example Model 1940 German WWII helmet, which is of a type that we have never had before! This stamped sheet steel construction helmet still retains almost all of the original lightly textured Luftwaffe Fliegerblau (flyer's blue) paint, which utilized aluminum oxide as a texturing agent. There is scuffing and some scratches from service, but nothing major. The interior paint is very well retained as well. Just a great example of a Luftwaffe helmet.
The helmet is however not for a regular ground soldier in the Luftwaffe, and has "Double Decals" as needed for Luftwaffe Police Inspector. The left side has a second pattern Luftwaffe Eagle decal, which is retained at about 80%, showing overall wear and some scratching. The right side however is outfitted with a Civic Police eagle insignia, which is what signifies that the wearer is an inspector. The decal is in similar condition to the eagle, retained at 75%, with just a bit more chipping. Both decals have had a bit of yellowing happen to the enamel topcoat, giving them a lovely aged look. Even without the huge amount of documentation we have, this is still a fantastic helmet!
Above the left ear interior of the apron has a stamped manufacturer's code and size hkp64, indicating it was manufactured by Sächsische Emaillier und Stanzwerke A.G., Germany. It is also marked with lot number 1235 on the underside of the rear skirt. Towards the end of the war, the SE marking was discontinued in favor of three letter code "hkp", and later this was moved to the rear skirt. Size 62 is a nice smaller size that can accommodate liners from 54cm to 55cm or US 6 3/4 to 6 5/8.
All three liner retaining pins are intact, still retaining much of the original paint, which is an exact match for the color of the helmet shell. The interior of the helmet still has the original M31 leather liner, with all eight of the original fingers intact along with an original top tie. The leather is still soft and supple, and has a lovely light brown color, showing a bit of staining and flaking around the edge, but no major damage or tears. The left exterior of the galvanized steel liner band is marked 62 n. A. / 55, indicating that it is a size 55 liner for a size 62 shell. The right side displays the full manufacture information, as well as a date:
SCHUBERTH-WERKE K.-G.
D. R. P.
1940
BRAUNSCHWEIG
This is exactly the type and era of liner we would expect to see in this helmet, and we do not see any signs that it has ever been replaced.
The chinstrap is present, and has the correct painted steel buckle and attachment studs for this era of helmet. It still has all thirteen size adjustment holes, and does not show any tears or major damage, however there is some surface dry rot and cracking. It is still soft and pliable, but also a bit delicate.
Overall an fantastic Luftwaffe document and helmet grouping, the likes of which we have never seen before, and are unlikely to see again. This is a fantastic set that will only continue to appreciate in value over time, and will be sure to appeal to the Luftwaffe historians out there. 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.
In 1934 tests began on an improved Stahlhelm, whose design was a development of World War I models. The Eisenhüttenwerke company of Thale carried out prototype design and testing, with Dr. Friedrich Schwerd once again taking a hand.
The new helmet was pressed from sheets of molybdenum steel in several stages. The size of the flared visor and skirt was reduced, and the large projecting lugs for the obsolete armor shield were eliminated. The ventilator holes were retained, but were set in smaller hollow rivets mounted to the helmet's shell. The edges of the shell were rolled over, creating a smooth edge along the helmet. Finally, a completely new leather suspension, or liner, was incorporated that greatly improved the helmet's safety, adjustability, and comfort for each wearer. These improvements made the new M1935 helmet lighter, more compact, and more comfortable to wear than the previous designs.
The Army's Supreme Command officially accepted the new helmet on June 25, 1935 and it was intended to replace all other helmets in service.
The M1935 design was slightly modified in 1940 to simplify its construction, the manufacturing process now incorporating more automated stamping methods. The principal change was to stamp the ventilator hole mounts directly onto the shell, rather than utilizing separate fittings. In other respects, the M1940 helmet was identical to the M1935. The Germans still referred to the M1940 as the M1935, while the M1940 designation were given by collectors.
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- Due to legal restrictions this item cannot be shipped to Australia, France or Germany. This is not a comprehensive list and other countries may be added in the future.
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