{"product_id":"original-german-wwii-m38-luftschutz-beaded-gladiator-air-defense-helmet-by-erel-with-57cm-liner-dated-1939","title":"Original German WWII M38 Luftschutz Beaded Gladiator Air Defense Helmet by EREL with 57cm Liner - dated 1939","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice M1938 Beaded Luftschutz Gladiator German helmet, which looks to have seen only light service during the WWII era. The exterior of this German helmet retains over 95% of the original dark blue paint, showing very light overall wear, and no major dents or scratches. There is just a bit of dirt and dust on the exterior, which wiped off easily after photography. Even the rolled edge, usually missing most of the paint on the bottom, still retains over 75%. It really has a great look, much like when it was first issued. The helmet has all of the three original liner attachment hollow rivets, all showing light wear, and all three retain the cork spacers on the outside of the liner. The \u003cstrong\u003eLUFTSCHUTZ\u003c\/strong\u003e decal is in good condition, retained at over 95% with just a bit of wear and a lovely color due to fading of the lacquer top coat.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe inner skirt is maker marked with stamping into the steel with \u003cstrong\u003eRL2 - 39\/12\u003c\/strong\u003e. These markings would seem to indicate that the helmet was made in 1939, though we do not know if any records were kept of the maker. It may be that it was made under a 1938 contract. Below is a original Luftschutz helmet information decal \/ paint stamp, which is mostly complete:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ccenter\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVertrieb genehmigt\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003egemäß § 8 Luftschutzgesetz\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/center\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis indicates the distribution information and size:\u003cem\u003e Distribution approved according to Section 8 Air protection legislation. \u003c\/em\u003eThese would sometimes have information about the size and price, but it does not appear like this example ever had those decals affixed. Additionally, this helmet actually has a maker label decal on the inside of the crown, which reads as follows:-\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRobert Lubſtein\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBerlin NW 21,Alt Moabit 105\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGES. GESCH.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFABRIKMARKE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e(Logo)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEREL\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBERLIN\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRobert Lubstein was a very well known distributor of caps, and was particularly known for their famous EREL brand of headgear, which is actually the pronunciation of the initials RL in German.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe interior of the helmet is fit with a leather nine finger liner, which has gray fabric underpadding over the black fiber band, similar to most M34 Civic helmets, and. It is marked with size \u003cstrong\u003e57\u003c\/strong\u003e on one of the rear fingers, and the top tie string is present and fully intact. The original chinstrap is unfortunately missing, looking to have been cut off long ago.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOverall a very good condition German WWII M38 Luftschutz helmet with a great lightly used look. Ready to research and display!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFormed in late 1932 the \u003cem\u003eDeutsches Luftschutzverband\u003c\/em\u003e, (German Air Protection League), was a voluntary organization designed to provide civil air raid protection in large civilian centers. Shortly after AH ascension to power the \u003cem\u003eDeutsches Luftschutzverband\u003c\/em\u003e was restructured and placed under the supervision of the \u003cem\u003eReichsluftfahrtministerium\u003c\/em\u003e, (National Air Ministry), under the control of Hermann Göring. On April 29TH 1933 the \u003cem\u003eDeutsches Luftschutzverband\u003c\/em\u003e was renamed RLB, \u003cem\u003eReichs Luftschutz Bund\u003c\/em\u003e, (National Air Raid Protection League) and was given status as an official national organization tasked with all aspects of civil air raid defense. The RLB remained a voluntary organization with a small cadre of paid, full-time uniformed officials to oversee the organization's functions until June 1935 when obligatory service was introduced. Only the most basic uniform and equipment items were supplied to the cadre personnel, with the rest having to be bought personally by members. On September 26TH 1938 a specific helmet for RLB personnel was introduced that incorporated a raised horizontal \"bead\" between the visors and crown. These helmets commonly called the \"Gladiator\" style were supplemented with M35, M40 and M42 helmets that also incorporated a raised horizontal \"bead\" between the visors and crown. The Luftschutz also utilized a variety of captured helmets.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45123598745669,"sku":"ONAC25SD0418","price":295.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/BE5FCCAE-0C40-4626-AE6D-5918C1728DA2.jpg?v=1781111755","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-german-wwii-m38-luftschutz-beaded-gladiator-air-defense-helmet-by-erel-with-57cm-liner-dated-1939","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}