Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice service worn genuine steel construction M34 Civic "Square Dip" Third Reich helmet, outfitted for German WWII Luftschutz Civil Air Defense use. It features the correct blue paint and large Luftschutz eagle on the front of the helmet for use with the Air Raid Defense. The helmet is a very early pattern, with vent holes that protrude outwards. Later models of the M34 had flat vents. The Luftschutz officially only were issued these helmets from 1935 until 1938, when a specific design was made, and many already issued helmets were then assigned to other organizations, making these quite rare.

This example definitely looks like it went through a war, and it looks to be possible that it was possibly exposed to heat or fire at some point on the upper right, which caused the paint to degrade on the both the inside and outside of the helmet. It has a fantastic "been there" look, showing it saw some real service during the war. The decal is very well retained at about 90%, displaying an aged patina with just a bit of chipping. The three permanent hollow liner rivets are still present, and have lost most of the original paint.

The liner in this helmet is made from leather over a fiber band with wool padding, and unfortunately is quite deteriorated. The three cork spacers are still present around the retaining pins, however the leather itself is stained dark and dry rotted around the bottom. It is now partly cracked through and in very delicate condition. The chinstrap is present, however the side with the clip broke off just below the liner.

Overall a very nice service worn early German WWII M34 Luftschutz helmet with a very nice decal. Ready to add to your collection and display!

Formed in late 1932 the Deutsches Luftschutzverband, (German Air Protection League), was a voluntary organization designed to provide civil air raid protection in large civilian centers. Shortly after AH ascension to power the Deutsches Luftschutzverband was restructured and placed under the supervision of the Reichsluftfahrtministerium, (National Air Ministry), under the control of Hermann Göring. On April 29TH 1933 the Deutsches Luftschutzverband was renamed RLB, Reichs Luftschutz Bund, (National Air Raid Protection League) and was given status as an official national organization tasked with all aspects of civil air raid defense. The RLB remained a voluntary organization with a small cadre of paid, full-time uniformed officials to oversee the organizations functions until June 1935 when obligatory service was introduced. Only the most basic uniform and equipment items were supplied to the cadre personnel, with the rest having to be bought personally by members. On September 26TH 1938 a specific helmet for RLB personnel was introduced that incorporated a raised horizontal "bead" between the visors and crown. These helmets commonly called the "Gladiator" style were supplemented with M35, M40 and M42 helmets that also incorporated a raised horizontal "bead" between the visors and crown. The Luftschutz also utilized a variety of captured helmets.