Original Item: Only One Available. This is a great all original example Model 1935 German WWII "double decal" helmet, with a Luftwaffe Eagle decal on the left side, and a "National Colors" decal on the right side. This stamped sheet steel construction helmet retains about 80% of the original smooth Fliegerblau (Flyer Blue) paint and is in very good condition overall. It does show overall wear from cleaning and service, giving it a great look. The National Colors decal is retained at about 80%, with some wear through as shown. The Luftwaffe decal fared a bit worse, and is retained around 40%, with many areas having been chipped away. The use of the second decal was discontinued in 1940, and in 1943 it was ordered that helmets with the national colors have them removed, so finding a helmet with both still present is a real treasure!

The reverse, interior, neck guard apron is lot number stamped D123 and the interior, left side, apron has the stamped manufacturer's code and size NS64, indicating that it was manufactured by Vereinigte Deutsche Nikelwerke, of Schwerte, Germany. Size 64 is a nice medium size that can accommodate liners from 56cm to 57cm or US 7 to 7 1/8. Size 64 shells are harder to find and are therefore more valuable to a collector. There is also a name written in white paint on the inside of the rear skirt, which looks to be Fippl.

All three liner retaining pins are intact, with most of their original paint worn away. The helmet still has its correct very good condition M31 liner, with all eight fingers present and supple. The liner leather does show cracking around the edge, and now has a chestnut brown color from age and use. There is top tie present, but it looks to be a post war replacement. The left exterior of the galvanized steel liner band is marked 64 n. A. / 56, indicating that it is a size 56 liner for a size 64 shell. The right side displays the full manufacture information, as well as a date:

SCHUBERTH-WERKE K.-G.
D.R.P.
1940
BRAUNSCHWEIG

The chinstrap is present, but definitely missing a significant portion of length on the longer piece, which broke off at the buckle sometime in the past. The buckle side is also almost torn through just above the stitching.

Overall a very nice totally correct 100% genuine double decal Luftwaffe helmet with a great service worn look, ready to display!

The first "modern" steel helmets were introduced by the French army in early 1915 and were shortly followed by the British army later that year. With plans on the drawing board, experimental helmets in the field, ("Gaede" helmet), and some captured French and British helmets the German army began tests for their own steel helmet at the Kummersdorf Proving Grounds in November, and in the field in December 1915. An acceptable pattern was developed and approved and production began at Eisen-und Hüttenwerke, AG Thale/Harz, (Iron and Foundry Works), in the spring of 1916.

These first modern M16 helmets evolved into the M18 helmets by the end of WWI. The M16 and M18 helmets remained in usage through-out the Weimar Reichswehr, (National Defence Force, Circa 1919-1933), era and on into the early years of the Third Reich until the development of the smaller, lighter M35 style helmet in June 1935.

The Luftwaffe pattern national eagle was originally introduced for wear by Fliegerschaft, (Pilot Base), personnel of the DLV, Deutscher Luftsportsverband, (German Air Sports Association), the clandestine, civilian, forerunner of the Luftwaffe on August 18TH 1934, and adopted for wear by the Luftwaffe on March 1ST 1935 along with the national tri-color shield for wear on the helmet.

The first pattern national eagle was utilized until a modified second pattern eagle was introduced in late 1936 or early 1937. Regulations of June 12TH 1940 discontinued the use of the national tri-color decal and further regulations of August 28TH 1943 abolished the national eagle decal and dictated that it was also to be removed from all helmets although the directives were not completely adhered to.