Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very good condition all original example of a German WWII M35 helmet shell, as issued to the Heer (Army), with very desirable "Double Decals". This stamped sheet steel construction helmet still retains the early war smooth Apfel-grün (apple green) paint, which is retained at over 80%, making it a really great example of a Pre-War produced helmet. There is overall wear and oxidation, and the top of the helmet is some of the paint, allowing the steel shell to oxidize a bit, however there is no major damage or denting we can see.

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. The decal on this helmet however escaped that fate, so it still has both decals. The left side of the helmet features a lovely Heer eagle decal, which is retained about 90%, showing overall wear with a fantastic yellowed look due to aging of the lacquer top coat. The right side of the helmet features a national colors decal, which is retained about 80%, showing overall wear and some chipping to the decal. Definitely lots of history here!

The reverse, interior, neck guard apron is heat lot number stamped 4454 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, however they have nickel alloy heads, which has caused some of the original 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 relatively supple, but definitely shows that the helmet saw much service. It is stained overall, now showing a lovely dark chestnut brown color. 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 60 n.A / 53, indicating that this is a size 53 liner for a size 60 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, though only one stud is aluminum, while the other is steel. It was probably lost or replaced during service. The leather is still mostly solid, but definitely does show wear, and the longer section has lost some length, and only has 8 of the original 13 size adjustment holes.

Overall a fantastic 100% genuine Extra Small M35 Double Decal Heer Army helmet shell with loads of history and a complete liner with chinstrap! 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.