Original Item: Only One Available. This is a rare all original example of a German WWII Model 1935 "Double Decal" helmet, as issued to the Heer (Army). As an early war helmet, it was originally painted with early Apfelgrün (apple green) paint, which is the early war color with more green in the mix. It also was equipped with "double decals", with a Heer Eagle on the left side and a National Colors 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.

This helmet did not have the decals removed at that time, however the helmet had the exterior repainted with dark green lightly textured camouflage paint in the field, which covered up both decals. Over time it saw additional service, leading to some wear to repainted finish on the exterior, which has removed some of the camouflage paint, giving it a fantastic "been there" look. Both decals are still present beneath the overpaint, and a bit of the original colors can be seen due to wear. Really a great helmet with a long history!

The reverse, interior, neck guard apron is serial number stamped 3499 and the interior, left side, apron has the stamped manufacturer's code and size, SE62 indicating that it was manufactured by Sächsische Emaillier und Stanzwerke A.G. of Lauter, Germany. Size 62 is a nice smaller size that can accommodate liners from 54cm to 55cm or US 6 3/4 to 6 5/8. There is also the number 108 in paint on the rear underside, probably a unit marking.

All three of the original liner split pins are present, however they have nickel alloy heads, which has caused some of the paint to wear off. The interior of the helmet still has the original M31 leather liner with all eight of its fingers intact, complete with the top securing strap. The leather is still supple, showing moderate staining and wear from service, and no major tears or splitting. The liner band is aluminum, with square aluminum chin strap loops attached to single ply sides. This is the earliest pattern seen in the war, and would later be have reinforcements added to the sides to prevent the soft aluminum from bending. The left exterior liner band over the left ear is marked 62 n.A / 55, indicating that this is a size 55 liner for a size 62 shell. The right side displays the full manufacture information, as well as a date:

This liner was made by Biedermann & Czarnikow, a German company who 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 helmet still has a very nice early pattern chinstrap installed, which has the correct aluminum buckle and attachment studs. It does show wear to the finish of the leather, but is really in good condition considering the age, and still has all of the length on the longer side, with all 13 size adjustment holes present.

Overall a very nice 100% genuine M35 Former Double Decal Heer Army helmet, that saw service during WWII! The period service wear on this gives it an absolutely unique look! 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.