Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very rare 1st Pattern NSKK Crash Helmet, probably one of the earliest that we have seen, and it has the wear to show! The organization had only existed for a few years at this point, and this early example looks to have been in service for a long time during the mid 30's, and possibly into the 40s. Like all of these helmets, it is made of molded, smooth, blackened leather helmet with raised, padded, protective bars running horizontally around the helmets bottom edge, and another one running from front to back over the crown top. It features two grommet style vents on each side, while most we have seen only have one.

The Front center of helmet features a first pattern nickel alloy SA-Style Reichsadler national eagle, with no NSKK marking. The eagle is still held in its correct position. Helmet has a short blackened leather visor stitched to front and stitched on, extended, blackened, grained, leather, protective side and rear panels. The side panels originally had ear flaps on each side, however the left side flap has had the stitching pull out, and the flap is completely missing. The side panels also have extended straps to bottoms which act as the chinstrap. Rear neck flap is in good shape, still supple, though there is some tearing due to wear.

The interior of helmet has a tan leather, nine finger liner, which is still mostly intact with the original top tie. The liner is ink stamped 57 on one of the rear fingers, over the full maker information in an oval stamp:

J.H. Eckart
1934
Ulm a. D.

This maker from Ulm on the Danube river is a known producer of these early NSKK crash hslmets. The liner is in good condition, but does show wear and possible insect or rodent damage from long ago towards the rear.

Overall condition shows extensive wear, with the finish mostly worn away from the horizontal padding band, and the leather on the crown band is over 50% missing due to wear. We usually see these gently used or even unissued, so it's a real treat to see a helmet that saw extensive use during the WWII period.

A very nice "salty" service worn example of a very hard to find helmet with some great honest period wear. Ready to display!