Item Description
Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice 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. 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 intact is a real treat!
This stamped sheet steel construction helmet retains about 80% of the original lightly textured blue-gray Luftwaffe fliegerblau (flyer's blue), and is in very good condition overall. It is possible that it originally had a smooth exterior paint job, and was overpainted, as the interior is smooth. There is light overall wear and scuffing, and the top of the helmet has an area about 2" x 3" where most of the paint is missing, which has allowed the shell to oxidize. There are however no major dents or damage. The National Colors decal is retained at about 80%, with checking from age and some wear, as well as some chips and scrapes. The Luftwaffe decal is retained at about 65%, with overall wear with some flaking, and a great off white color. They have a lovely service worn look.
The reverse, interior, neck guard apron is serial number stamped 31433 and the interior, left side, apron has the stamped manufacturer's code and size, Q64 indicating that it was manufactured by F.W. Quist G.m.b.H. in the German city of Esslingen. Size 64 is a nice smaller 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.
All three original liner retaining pins are intact and in good condition, with the smooth Luftwaffe blue gray paint well retained. The interior of the helmet still has its original leather liner with all 8 fingers intact as well as the top tie string. The leather has a lovely color and lightly worn look, and even has the name W. Schweppe written on the inside. There is a very faint size 57 stamped in a circle on one of the fingers. The outer side of the galvanized steel liner band over the left ear is marked 64 n.A / 57, indicating that this is a size 56 liner for a size 64 shell. The right side displays the full manufacture information, as well as a date, though they are a bit faint:
SCHUBERTH-WERKE K.-G.
D. R. P.
1940
BRAUNSCHWEIG
This date is exactly what we would expect on a double decal helmet with a transitional type paint job. The attached chinstrap is in very good condition, and is maker marked KLOPFER. It has an aluminum buckle with aluminum attachment studs, so it is definitely correct for the 1940 period, as they were changing over from aluminum to steel fittings.
Overall a very nice totally correct 100% genuine double decal Luftwaffe helmet, ready to display! We do not get helmets like these very often at all.
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.
- This product is available for international shipping. Shipping not available to: Australia, France, or Germany
- Due to legal restrictions this item cannot be shipped to Australia, France or Germany. This is not a comprehensive list and other countries may be added in the future.
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