Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice M1938 Beaded Luftschutz Gladiator German helmet, which looks to have seen light to moderate service during the WWII era. The exterior of this German helmet retains over 90% of the original dark blue paint, showing light overall wear, with some minor denting on the crown. The rolled edge is missing a good amount of the paint, which is not uncommon, and gives it a great "been there" look. 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 LUFTSCHUTZ decal is in good condition, retained at over 95% with just a bit of wear on the right side.

The inner skirt is maker marked with stamping into the steel with RL 2 - 38 / 28. 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 original Luftschutz helmet information decal / paint stamp, which is mostly complete:

This indicates the distribution information and size: Distribution approved according to Section 8 Air protection legislation. These would sometimes have information about the size and price, but it does not appear like this example ever had those decals affixed.

The liner in the helmet is a standard leather German WWI style, with the three larger panels attached to a liner band, which we often see in Luftschutz helmets. The panels are attached to a black oilcloth covered fiber band. It is in very good service used condition, showing moderate use with the leather is still supple, though the top tie and padding behind the panels is missing. There is also some wear and tearing of the black oilcloth over the liner band. The original chinstrap is present and still adjustable, showing wear to the black finish in the form of cracks and flaking.

Overall a very good condition 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.