Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice original M1938 Beaded Luftschutz Gladiator German helmet, which looks to have seen moderate service during the WWII era. The exterior of this German helmet retains about 75% of the original dark blue paint, with overall light wear and some scratching. There is an area of paint loss and oxidation on the right rear skirt. There is also paint loss is around the rim, which was most prone to contact with the ground. The interior paint just shows a bit of flaking and oxidation in areas, especially near the rim, and it looks to have had a name written under the front brim.

The helmet has three of the four original liner attachment splint pins, with one partly pulled through, and all showing light oxidation. All four rectangular cork pads are still present around the attachment points. The Luftschutz decal is in good condition, probably retained about 95% with some scuffing and small chips. It has a lovely aged look to the enamel, giving it a great golden color.

The inner skirt is maker marked with stamping into the steel with RL 2 - 39 / 10. These markings would seem to indicate that the helmet was made in 1938, 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 complete original Luftschutz helmet information decal / paint stamp:

This indicates the pricing and distribution information: Highest Price for 1-10 Pieces 8.00 Reichsmark, 11 Pieces at 7.5 Reichsmark. Distribution approved according to Section 8 Air protection legislation. Head Width 58. The paint stamp is a bit faint in areas but still fully legible.

The liner in the helmet is a standard leather German WWII style, and is attached to a black colored fiber band. It is in very good condition, retaining the top securing string, with the leather showing only light wear. However, it looks like something dripped on the leather in two areas over a long period of time, which has made those spots hard all the way through the leather. The leather double buckled chinstrap is present and still quite supple, though it has stretched out over the years, cracking the finish.

Overall a very good German WWII M38 Luftschutz helmet with a great lightly used look. Ready to research and display!

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.