Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very good condition all original example of a German WWII M35 helmet shell, as issued to the Kriegsmarine (Navy), with very desirable "Double Decals", though it looks like the "national colors" decal was overpainted, and then another added on top, possibly post war. The helmet looks to have seen long service, and was returned to arsenal where the original early war smooth Apfel-grün (apple green) was overpainted on the outside of the helmet with lightly textured Panzergrau (armor gray), as used during the wartime. The interior was however not repainted, and is still the original color. Since then it saw additional service, and now shows overall wear and light oxidation, with chips, scratches, and the usual wear. There is no major damage or denting we can see.

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. It looks like when this helmet was repainted, the Kriegsmarine decal was covered and/or painted around, while the National colors was painted over. This then wore away, exposing some of the national colors decal, and it looks like another National colors decal was placed over it. This itself now shows checking, flaking, and age. We can also see another decal where it is chipped. We have checked the Kriegsmarine decal, and it is completely correct, with the correct "arsenic gold" color, only used on Kriegsmarine decals. It is very well retained at over 75%, and shows the expected wear from age. Definitely an interesting example with a great "been there" look!

The reverse, interior, neck guard apron is batch number stamped, 4473 and the interior, left side, apron has a stamped manufacturer's code and size, SE68 indicating that it was manufactured by Sächsische Emaillier und Stanzwerke A.G. of Lauter, Germany. Size 68 is a rare extra large size that can accommodate liners from 60cm to 61cm or US 7 1/2 to 7 5/8. Size 68 shells are the hardest to find and are therefore the most valuable to a collector. Per research, the heat lot on this shell is in the correct range for a Kriegsmarine Navy helmet, based on other observed examples owned by collectors.

All three of the original liner split pins are present, still retaining some of the panzergrau repaint. They look to have brass heads, which do not retain paint as well, and they have matured to a lovely dark brown patina. The interior of the helmet still has the original M31 leather liner with all NINE of its fingers intact, only seen on larger size liners such as this. The top securing string is present, but stained and fraying, and the leather itself is also stained and cracked from use. We can see some "bloom" on the leather, and there is cracking and tear through around the edge where it bends over the inner band. The liner band is aluminum, with square aluminum chin strap loops attached to reinforced sides. This is the last pattern before the move to galvanized steel bands. The left exterior of the liner band is marked 68 n.A / 60, indicating that it is a size 60 liner for a size 68 shell. The right side has the full maker information clearly stamped:

Metall-Lederverarbeitung W.Z.
1939
Bln.- Ch'burg 5

This indicates production by the metal and leather working company Werner Zahn, based in Berlin - Charlottenburg, in the year 1939, which fits right into the immediate pre-war period.

There is still an original chinstrap installed, which is the correct early style with an aluminum buckle and attachment studs. The longer section still has all thirteen size adjustment holes, but is definitely stretched out and a bit stained. The buckle side is a bit less stretched out. We can see faint maker markings on the end of the longer section, but we are not able to read them.

Overall a fantastic 100% genuine Extra Large Rare M35 Double Decal Kriegsmarine Navy helmet shell with loads of history and a complete liner with chinstrap! This is an item that will only continue to appreciate in value over time!

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.

In 1934 tests began on an improved Stahlhelm, whose design was a development of World War I models. The Eisenhüttenwerke company of Thale carried out prototype design and testing, with Dr. Friedrich Schwerd once again taking a hand.

The new helmet was pressed from sheets of molybdenum steel in several stages. The size of the flared visor and skirt was reduced, and the large projecting lugs for the obsolete armor shield were eliminated. The ventilator holes were retained, but were set in smaller hollow rivets mounted to the helmet's shell. The edges of the shell were rolled over, creating a smooth edge along the helmet. Finally, a completely new leather suspension, or liner, was incorporated that greatly improved the helmet's safety, adjustability, and comfort for each wearer. These improvements made the new M1935 helmet lighter, more compact, and more comfortable to wear than the previous designs.

The Army's Supreme Command officially accepted the new helmet on June 25, 1935 and it was intended to replace all other helmets in service.

The M1935 design was slightly modified in 1940 to simplify its construction, the manufacturing process now incorporating more automated stamping methods. The principal change was to stamp the ventilator hole mounts directly onto the shell, rather than utilizing separate fittings. In other respects, the M1940 helmet was identical to the M1935. The Germans still referred to the M1940 as the M1935, while the M1940 designation were given by collectors.

The last wartime upgrade to the standard helmet took place on 6 July 1942 at the request of the Army High Command. The rolled edge found on M1935 and M1940 helmets was discontinued as a measure of economy. On 1 August 1942 the first M1942 helmets were placed into production, and this was the model produced until late in the war, when most factories were captured or stood idle due to material shortages.