Original Item: Only One Available. This is a lovely lightly used M1938 Beaded Luftschutz Gladiator German helmet, which looks to have seen only light service during the WWII era. The exterior of this German helmet retains over 95% of the original dark blue paint, showing light overall wear, though there is a wide flat area on the top of the crown from a dent of some sort. There is little paint loss on either the interior or exterior, giving it a great look.

The helmet has all of the three original liner attachment hollow rivets, all showing light wear, and as this is a large size helmet, there are no cork spacers on the outside of the liner. The LUFTSCHUTZ decal is in very good condition, retained at about 90%, showing just a bit of light wear and deterioration.

The inner skirt is maker marked with stamping into the steel with RL 2 - 38 / 28. These markings would seem to indicate that the helmet was made in 1938, though we do not know if any records were kept of the maker. It may be that it was made under a 1938 contract. Below is a original Luftschutz helmet information decal / paint stamp, which is complete:

This indicates the distribution information and size: Distribution approved according to Section 8 Air protection legislation. Head Width 59.

The liner in the helmet is a standard leather German WWI style, with the three larger panels attached to a liner band, which we often see in Luftschutz helmets. The panels are attached to a black oilcloth covered fiber band. It is in very good used condition, showing some staining, but the leather is still relatively supple, though the top tie string is missing. The original chinstrap is present and intact.

Overall a very good condition German WWII M38 Luftschutz helmet with a great lightly used look. Ready to research 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 organization's 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.