Original Item: Only One Available. This is an original German WWII M38 Luftschutz beaded Gladiator air defense helmet retaining approximately 80% of its original dark blue exterior finish, a strong LUFTSCHUTZ decal, 57cm liner, original chinstrap, and inner skirt marking RL 2-38/28. The helmet shows moderate service wear with paint loss, oxidation, checking, small dents, and a broken chinstrap attachment.

The exterior retains approximately 80% of its original dark blue paint. The finish shows general wear together with areas of checking, bubbling, scuffing, and oxidation. Several small dents are also present. Considerable paint loss is visible along the rolled edge, consistent with age and handling. The interior retains somewhat more of the original finish but also shows scattered paint loss and oxidation.

The LUFTSCHUTZ decal remains approximately 95% intact and is in very good condition overall, with only a few small areas of chipping.

The inner skirt is stamped:

RL 2 - 38 / 28

This marking is consistent with a Luftschutz production or contract code incorporating the year 1938. The specific manufacturer cannot presently be identified from the supplied information.

Below the stamped marking is the surviving Luftschutz distribution and size marking:

Vertrieb genehmigt
gemäß § 8 Luftschutzgesetz
Kopfweite: 57

indicating "approved distribution under Section 8 of the Air Protection Law" and a head size of 57cm.

All three original hollow liner retaining rivets remain present. Their exterior paint is largely worn away, leaving an oxidized surface, and all three retain the original cork spacers between the liner band and helmet shell.

The liner is the WWI style type commonly encountered in Luftschutz helmets, consisting of three large leather pads, each divided into two fingers, mounted to a black oilcloth covered fiber band. The leather remains in good condition with light service wear. Two of the three original felt pads remain in the pockets behind the leather panels, while the top tie string is missing.

The black oilcloth covering over the reddish fiber liner band has deteriorated substantially with age, and several areas have crumbled away completely.

The original leather chinstrap remains present and is mostly complete. It shows wear and wrinkling to the finish, but one of the end rivets has pulled free, leaving that end detached from its mounting loop.

Overall condition is very good for a service used Luftschutz helmet. The dark blue paint and decal remain strongly retained, while the liner is substantially complete with two felt pads and all three cork spacers still present. The principal condition issues are paint loss and oxidation, scattered small dents, deteriorated oilcloth on the liner band, missing top tie string, and the broken chinstrap attachment.

With its strong Luftschutz decal, approximately 80% original dark blue finish, RL 2-38/28 inner skirt marking, 57cm size designation, complete three pad liner system, cork spacers, and surviving original chinstrap, this is a strong example of a German WWII M38 beaded Gladiator air defense helmet. It would fit especially well in a Luftschutz, German civil defense, home front, or WWII helmet collection.

Formed in late 1932 the Deutsches Luftschutzverband, (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 Deutsches Luftschutzverband was restructured and placed under the supervision of the Reichsluftfahrtministerium, (National Air Ministry), under the control of Hermann Göring. On April 29TH 1933 the Deutsches Luftschutzverband was renamed RLB, Reichs Luftschutz Bund, (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.