Original Item: Only One Available. The SS (Schutzstaffel - 'Protection Squadron') was originally formed in 1925, ostensibly to act as a small, loyal bodyguard unit to protect the Führer, Adolf H. Under the direction of the Reichsführer-SS Heinrich Himmler, the SS grew to be the most ruthless and feared organization of the 20th century. They were the vanguard of NSDAP and eventually controlled nearly every function of German life and much of Occupied Europe.

When WWII began in earnest, the SS-Verfügungstruppe (SS-VT) (SS Dispositional Troops) became the Waffen-SS ("Armed SS"), an official military branch of the SS organization. Its formations included men from NSDAP ruled Germany, along with volunteers and conscripts from both occupied and unoccupied lands. They were issued the same type field gear as the regular Heer Army, however they were marked specifically for the SS.

This is an incredible ultra rare all original example of a Model 1935 M35 German WWII helmet, as issued to the Waffen SS, featuring very desirable "Double Decals"! The use of the second decal was discontinued in 1940, and most earlier helmets in service had the second decal removed, so finding a helmet with both present is a real treat! The helmet does show a good amount of service wear on the exterior, but it retains both the NSDAP Party Shield on the left side, with a ᛋᛋ Doppelte Siegrune (Double Sig/Victory Rune) decal on the right side of the helmet. This was the symbol used by the SS throughout their existence, and many of the SS units also utilized the old Germanic Runic alphabets as a source of insignia. Unlike the other armed branches, the Waffen SS had their branch insignia on the right side of the helmet.

This stamped sheet steel construction helmet would probably originally have been painted with an early war "Apfel-grün" (Apple Green) smooth finish, however it definitely looks like that paint became worn during the war, and at some point the helmet was arsenal refinished with textured Panzergrau (armor gray) finish on both sides, and had a new liner and chinstrap fitted. However, the original decals were not removed, having been covered up when it was repainted. Since then it has long additional service, with wear and oxidation an the shell, particularly on the top of the helmet. There is also paint worn away as well as oxidation, particularly around the bottom edge of the helmet. It has a fantastic "been there" look that is impossible to duplicate.

The decals on these helmets are unfortunately one of the most delicate parts of the exterior, and both decals show significant wear and flaking, with much of the upper layer worn away. We can still make out the NSDAP party shield as well as the silvering for the SS decal, but the runes are not clear anymore. It does not look like they were purposely removed, but instead suffered wear from service and age. After 1943 decals were no longer applied to most helmets, so there would have been no reason to replace them.

The reverse, interior, neck guard apron is lot number stamped 4775 and the interior, left side, apron has the stamped manufacturer's code and size E.F.66, indicating that it was manufactured by Emaillierwerke AG, of Fulda, Germany. Later in the war, the maker mark would be moved to the rear of the helmet. Size 66 is a nice large size that can accommodate liners from 58cm to 59cm or US 7 1/4 to 7 3/8. Size 66 shells are much harder to find and are therefore more valuable to a collector.

All three of the liner retaining split pins are intact, however they look to be early pattern plated examples, which are prone to having the paint fall off. There is still some of the original paint, but we can also see much of the plated surface. The interior of the helmet still has an original M31 leather liner with all eight "fingers" still present and intact, and there is an "extra" partial finger at the very rear, only seen on these larger size liners. The leather is a bit stiff, but shows only light wear, with some cracking and discoloration around the rim. The left side of the galvanized steel liner band is marked 66 n.A. / 59, indicating a size 59 liner for a size 66 shell. There is also a faint size 59 in a circle stamped on the leather. We checked the right side for a maker mark, but it is too faint to read due to oxidation.

There is still an original chinstrap fitted the the liner, which has the correct wartime painted / palted hardware, and still has all thirteen size adjustment holes on the longer side. The leather is a bit stiff, with some flaking of the finish, but there are no tears or other major damage. It also has an RBNr. near the end of the longer section, though we cannot make out the entire marking.

Overall this is a great service used example of a Rare M35 Double Decal SS helmet, complete with a liner and chinstrap! Definitely a helmet with a long history during WWII that must have seen use in countless actions. M35 helmets of this quality are always the hardest to find on the market. 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 was given by collectors.

In 1942, Due to wartime demands, the M-42 design was put into production because it was significantly quicker to manufacture. The rolled edge of the M-35 shell was eliminated, creating an unfinished edge along the rim. This edge flared out slightly, along the base of the skirt. The elimination of the rolled edge expedited the manufacturing process and reduced the amount of metal used in each helmet, without sacrificing protection.