Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice service used all original example of a Model 1935 German early WWII "double decal" helmet, complete with original liner and chinstrap! It has a very desirable early "Droop-Tail" Luftwaffe Eagle decal on the left side, and a "National Colors" decal on the right. We have examined the decal thoroughly, and it is definitely a correct 1st pattern, and is the "Straight Leg" variety as referred to by collectors. 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!

The helmet still retains much of the original Luftwaffe smooth blue-gray Luftwaffe fliegerblau (flyer's blue) used on early helmets, however there is a lot of exterior oxidation speckling, which we suspect is from long storage in an attic or other similar environment. We can see a cross shaped tape mark on the back, which has less oxidation under the tape residue. The Luftwaffe decal is around 95% complete, with just a few small chips missing, and the enamel has yellowed over the years, giving it a great look. The National Colors decal is 50% complete with chipping in the center. All three liner retaining pins are intact, with most of their original paint as well. They have nickel heads, which is why the paint has chipped a bit, but also why they do not show the same orange oxidized color the rest of the helmet shows. A very interesting example of an early WWII period helmet!

The reverse, interior, neck guard apron is heat lot number stamped 4067, and the interior, left side, apron has the stamped manufacturer's code and size, ET64. This indicates that it was manufactured by Eisenhüttenwerk AG of Thale, located in the Harz district in Saxony, 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.

The helmet still has its correct good condition M31 liner with all of the 8 fingers present and supple. The liner also still has its original size adjustment string, though it is deteriorated and torn. The leather shows overall wear and some light surface dry rot, with the rear stitching having rotted out. 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 64 n.A / 57, indicating that it is a size 57 liner for a size 64 shell. The right side has the full maker information clearly stamped:

B. & C.
BERLIN
1939

This liner was made by Biedermann & Czarnikow of Berlin in the year 1939, which fits right into the early war period. This German company later moved operations to Łódź in occupied Poland to take advantage of the slave labor in the ghetto located there. NSDAP authorities renamed Łódź to Litzmannstadt in honor of the German General Karl Litzmann who had captured the city in the previous World War.

The chinstrap is still present, however it is torn through on the buckle side just below the securing stud. It has the correct aluminum buckle, still attached to the longer side of the strap, and the securing studs are both aluminum, though now slightly oxidized. The leather, like the liner, is somewhat worn and dried out.

Overall a very nice 100% genuine "Droop Tail" double decal Luftwaffe helmet with nice decals a great aged look! We do not get helmets like these very often at all. 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.