{"product_id":"original-german-wwii-m38-luftschutz-beaded-gladiator-air-defense-helmet-with-single-piece-shell-55cm-liner-and-chinstrap","title":"Original German WWII M38 Luftschutz Beaded Gladiator Air Defense Helmet with Single Piece Shell, 55cm Liner, and Chinstrap","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is a lovely original M1938 Luftschutz Gladiator German helmet, with a rare early single piece beaded shell. Shortly afterwards it was found that due to the size of the \"skirt\" it was more time efficient to add the skirt later, with welded seams on the sides. We thoroughly checked the shell, and there are no weld markings we can see. This example looks to have seen only light service during the war, and is in very good cosmetic condition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe the original dark blue paint on the shell is very well retained, showing light wear, with some chips and scuffs on the crown, as would be expected from use in service. It still has all three of the liner attachment split pins present, though there are no cork pads, as the liner system used in this helmet does not use them. The \u003cstrong\u003eLUFTSCHUTZ\u003c\/strong\u003e decal is about 85% complete, showing overall light wear and some age-related degradation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe inner skirt is maker marked with stamping into the steel with \u003cstrong\u003eRL 2 - 39\/21\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 1939 contract. Below is a original Luftschutz helmet information decal \/ paint stamp, which is fully intact and easily legible:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ccenter\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVertrieb genehmigt\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003egemäß § 8 Lufts\u003cem\u003echutzg\u003c\/em\u003eesetz\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKopfweite 55\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eHöc\u003c\/em\u003ehstprei\u003cem\u003es 8.50 RM.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\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. Head Width 56. Highest Price 8.50 Reichsmark.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe interior of the helmet is fit with a leather nine finger liner, which has felt underpadding over the fiber band, similar to most M34 Civic helmets, though it is not red but gray, and is configured slightly differently. It is marked with size \u003cstrong\u003e55\u003c\/strong\u003e on the rear finger, and the top tie string is present and fully intact. The original leather chinstrap is present and fully intact, with a functional pin buckle, though the finish is a bit worn.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOverall a lovely German WWII M38 Luftschutz helmet with a great 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":43897256181829,"sku":"ONAC25SD0449","price":395.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONAC25SD0449__03.jpg?v=1761584829","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-german-wwii-m38-luftschutz-beaded-gladiator-air-defense-helmet-with-single-piece-shell-55cm-liner-and-chinstrap","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}