{"product_id":"original-german-wwii-m34-square-dip-all-aluminum-double-decal-fire-police-helmet-with-56cm-liner-chinstrap-feuerwehr","title":"Original German WWII M34 Square Dip All Aluminum Double Decal Fire Police Helmet with 56cm Liner \u0026 Chinstrap - Feuerwehr","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is an excellent all aluminum construction M34 \"Square Dip\" Third Reich helmet, outfitted for German WWII Fire Police (\u003cem\u003eFeuerwehr\u003c\/em\u003e) issue. Almost all of these that we have seen have a steel shell, however this shell is aluminum, with a bright aluminum comb on top with padding underneath. Features genuine double decals of of a NSDAP Party Shield on the right, and NSDAP Civic Police Eagle on the left. Comes with a lovely leather liner with all split pins and the top pad still present, which is marked with size \u003cstrong\u003e56\u003c\/strong\u003e on one of the \"fingers\". The top tie is missing, but could easily be replaced, and the double buckled chin strap is fully intact and in great shape, showing only light wear. The liner still retains the five leather \"tabs\" that would allow attachment of the rear skirt.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe exterior of this German helmet retains almost all of the original black paint, with some small chips and scratches, which show the red primer coat, only used on very early examples. There are a few areas worn through to the aluminum base metal, mostly around the bottom rim, which also shows a dent inwards on the left side. The NSDAP Party Shield decal is over 95% complete, and the NSDAP Civic Police Eagle is just about 90%, with just a bit of deterioration. Both have a lovely aged look to them due to the lacquer top coat darkening with age.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe helmet shell bears a manufacturer stamp, which is stamped lightly on the inner right side:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ccenter\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eVor\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eschrftsm.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eLeic\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ehtmetall PD.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003en. M. d. J.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/center\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis would indicate that it was produced \"Vorschriftsmäßig\", or \"according to regulations, and that it was made by an Aluminum foundry, possibly from recycled aluminum. Germany did not have large aluminum resources, so recycling it was very important. The top mounted aluminum comb is in very good condition, still showing the original bright finish, with just a few sizeable dents and scratches. It still retains its highly attractive black leather underpadding\/border.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOverall a great opportunity to get a truly excellent example of an All-Aluminum WWII Civic Police Fire helmet. Ready to display!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePrior to 1929 many fire-fighting units used leather helmets in various styles with most appearing similar to the leather spiked helmet (Pickelhaube) of World War I. These helmets bore a stamped metal crest on the front depicting the province or township to which the fire-fighting unit belonged.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn 1929 a light-weight plastic fiber (Vulkanfiber) helmet was prototyped for general use by all fire-fighting units. The first models were issued in 1932 and proved unworthy of further consideration. As a result a second prototype was explored using light-weight steel alloy known as \"Edelstahl.\" During this time leather fire-fighting helmets were slowly replaced with a combination of surplus World War I model steel helmets and privately manufactured versions in the “Austrian” pattern shell. These early helmets were generally painted black although some were left in their original field-gray World War I color.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn 1934 the light-weight steel alloy prototype helmet was approved for general use by all fire-fighting units. This helmet is designated the “M1934” by modern collectors because of the year of its introduction. Several different versions of the M1934 helmet exist with many variations resulting from subtle differences in the air vents or visors. The M1934 helmet was painted semi-gloss black inside and out with two insignia placed one on each side.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFire Protection Police helmets were manufactured with and without an aluminum metal comb. In some cases the metal comb was also painted black. As a result of a large surplus, M1934 helmets without combs were issued in 1940 for general wear by all fire-fighting personnel. The helmets used typical civilian style liner systems and chinstraps. The liners were made so that they could accommodate a removable black leather neck shield.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42448521560133,"sku":"ONSV25SSOS254","price":550.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONSV25SSOS254__04.jpg?v=1741147394","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-german-wwii-m34-square-dip-all-aluminum-double-decal-fire-police-helmet-with-56cm-liner-chinstrap-feuerwehr","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}