Original Item: Only One Available. This is a fantastic all original example Model 1935 German WWII DAK Afrikakorps single decal Afrikakorps "Pink" Camouflage steel helmet. Most associate the DAK with the tropical Afrika campaign Dunkelgelb (Dark Yellow) camouflage paint, but in reality the colors used were often changed to better suit the surroundings. The sand and rock formations in many parts of North Africa are not always tan, and in fact many are shades of orange, brown, and pink. During the 1970s the British SAS utilized a similar color on their customized "Pink Panther" Land Rovers. Paint supplies to North Africa were in general not considered a high priority, so often the local dirt and dust was used to camouflage the helmets, and that looks possibly like what happened here.

The left side of the helmet still does retain a partial Heer Army Eagle decal, however it looks to partly have flaked away long ago. It had the camouflage applied over it, and as it bubbled up, portions flaked away, and now all that remains is mostly the wings of the eagle, and a bit of the head. Since the repaint, it definitely has seen a lot of service, with areas showing wear down through several layers of paint. This is definitely a helmet with a TON of history!

The reverse, interior, neck guard apron is batch number stamped 866, and the interior, left side, apron has a stamped manufacturer's code and size, E.F. 60 indicating that indicating it was manufactured by Emaillierwerke AG, of Fulda Germany in size 60. Size 60 is a very small size that can accommodate liners from 52cm to 53cm or US 6 1/2 to 6 3/8. Shells this small are extremely rare, and we have only had a handful, even when compared to the extra large size 68.

All three liner retaining pins are intact, and look to be nickel or zinc plated, which has resulted in most of the paint flaking off, including both the original paint and the "pink" camouflage. The helmet still has its correct condition M31 liner with all of the 8 fingers present, however they definitely show cracking and staining from wear and use. The leather is now stained to a very dark brown almost black color, and has shrunk inward, with many of the fingers curling upward at the ends. 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 60 n. A. / 53, indicating that it is a size 53 liner for a size 60 shell. The right side has the full maker information clearly stamped:

Metall-Lederverarbeitung W.Z.
1938
Bln.- Ch'burg 5

This indicates production by the metal and leather working company Werner Zahn, based in Berlin - Charlottenburg, in the year 1938, which fits right into the early war period. This is exactly the right period and type of liner for this very early helmet.

The original chinstrap is still present, but is definitely a later war replacement with all steel hardware. The leather is a bit stiff and aged, but it still is full length, with all 13 length adjustment holes present.

Overall this is an incredible complete Deutsches Afrikorps "Pink" Camouflage Single Decal M35 Helmet! These are becoming harder and harder to find on the market. Sure to appreciate in value over the years!

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.