Original Item: Only One Available. This is a nice all original example of a German WWII M35 helmet, as issued to the Heer (Army). This stamped sheet steel construction helmet looks to have seen long service during the war, and most likely the original early war smooth Apfel-grün (apple green) paint worn away, along with any decals it had. It was then repainted with textured wartime panzergrau (armor gray) paint, which is still relatively well retained. There is an area on the front and top side where the paint is missing, which has allowed the steel to oxidize a bit, however there is no major damage or denting we can see.

The reverse, interior, neck guard apron is heat lot number stamped 568 and the interior, left side, apron has the stamped manufacturer's code and size, ET60 indicating that it was manufactured by Eisenhüttenwerk AG of Thale, located in the Harz district in Saxony, Germany. Size 60 is a 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 of the original liner split pins are present, retaining most of the textured paint. The interior of the helmet still has the original M31 leather liner with all eight of its fingers intact, however the leather is definitely shrunken and now stiff, with the top tie missing. The liner looks to be made from late war "pig skin" leather, and it looks to have gotten wet at some point, and shrunk. It is stained overall, now showing a lovely dark chestnut brown color. The left exterior of the galvanized steel liner band over the left ear is marked 60 n.A / 53, indicating that this is a size 53 liner for a size 60 shell. The right side displays the manufacture information, as well as a date:

We assume this is a "last ditch" style liner from Schuberth-Werke, but cannot verify this. The chinstrap is completely missing.

Overall a lovely 100% genuine Extra Small M35 Heer Army helmet with loads of history! 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.