Original Item: Only One Available. This is a lovely service worn 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! Additionally, this helmet was "Shot Through" long ago during the war, which would almost certainly have killed the wearer if they had it on at the time. Definitely some great aspects to this lovely patinated helmet!

This stamped sheet steel construction helmet shows significant wear from use, with probably only about 60% of the original correct smooth semi-gloss blue-gray Luftwaffe fliegerblau (flyer's blue) used on early helmets, which would later become textured. It shows a lot of wear to the top of the crown, where the paint is almost completely removed, and there is wear over the sides as well, with oxidation where the paint is missing. The National Colors decal is retained at about 75%, with checking from age and some wear through, while the Luftwaffe decal is retained at under 50%, showing wear and a lot of checking and crazing in the insignia. Both have a great aged look, only achieved through real period wear!

The reverse, interior, neck guard apron is batch number stamped 1408 and the interior, left side, apron has a stamped manufacturer's code and size, Q66. This indicates it was manufactured by F.W. Quist G.m.b.H in Esslingen, Germany in size 66. This is a nice large size that can accommodate size 58cm and 59cm liners, or 7 1/4 - 7 3/8 US. Shells of this large size are harder to find, and more valuable to a collector.

The left side of the helmet near where the skirt meets the done shows damage to the metal, consistent with being "Shot through" by a bullet. The metal is bent in, definitely indicating an entrance hole, and the size is consistent with a .30 caliber bullet, probably from one of the many rifles and machine guns in service during the war. The angle looks like it hit the shell from the side, slightly above. Close inspection of the paint, style and aging of the edges lead us to be very confident that this totally 100% genuine.

All three liner split pins are still intact, however they all look to have nickel alloy heads, which has resulted in the paint flaking off nearly completely on all three. The helmet still has its correct M31 liner with all of the 8 fingers present, and the original top tie is still present, though overall it definitely shows a lot of wear from use and age. It now shows a lovely dark chestnut color, and there are some small tears and flaking in areas. 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, as aluminum was scarce. The left side of the band is marked with 66 n.A. / 58, indicating that it is a size 58 liner for a size 66 shell. It is also maker marked and dated on the other side:

D.R.P.
SCHUBERTH - WERK
K.-G.
BRAUNSCHWEIG
1938

This fits right into the immediate pre-war period, and is completely correct for this helmet.

Overall a fantastic 100% genuine double decal Luftwaffe helmet that was shot through in combat, ready to research and  display! We do not get helmets like these very often at all. 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.

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.