Original Item: Only One Available. This is a fantastic early example of a German WWII M35 helmet, as issued to the Heer (Army), with very desirable "Double Decals". This stamped sheet steel construction helmet definitely looks to have seen service during the war, but still retains the correct original early war Apfel-grün (apple green) paint. This is correctly "semi-gloss", and would be replaced by textured Panzergrau later in the war, however this example was never repainted! It also still retains both decals, which are in very good shape.

It does appear that the entire exterior of the helmet was coated with clear enamel lacquer during the war to protect it, and this has yellowed considerably over the years, changing the perceived color of the paint and decals. After it was lacquered it saw additional service, and areas of the lacquer are now browned and also scraped away. There is also a dent on the rear left crown, which definitely happened after it was lacquered. The rear skirt shows some brush strokes from when the lacquer was applied as well. Definitely some very interesting history to this helmet!

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 National Colors is retained at about 75%, showing overall wear from service, with a few areas having flaked away. The Heer Eagle is actually retained at over 90%, showing some scratching and chipping, which has exposed the SILVER in the wings. This is definitely NOT a Kriegsmarine decal, and it only looks gold due to the yellowing of the lacquer. Kriegsmarine decals used bronze powder for the color, not aluminum powder like the Heer Army, so if it shows any silver, like this one does, it cannot be a Kriegsmarine decal. We have confirmed with other examples that this is the correct style for this maker.

The reverse, interior, neck guard apron is batch number stamped 4531, and the interior, left side, apron has a stamped manufacturer's code and size, SE66. This indicates it was manufactured by Sächsische Emaillier und Stanzwerke A.G. of Lauter, Germany in size 66. This is a nice large size that can accommodate size 58cm and 59cm liners, or 7 1/4 - 7 3/8 US. Shells of this large size are harder to find, and more valuable to a collector.

All three liner retaining pins are intact, and do show wear to the apple green paint. Two look to have been made using nickel heads, while the left pin looks to have a galvanized steel head. The interior of the helmet still has the original M31 leather liner, with all eight of the original fingers and the top tie intact. The leather is still soft and supple, and has a lovely light chestnut brown color, showing some flaking where it bends over the inner band. 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, as aluminum was scarce. The left side of the band is marked with 64 n.A. / 56, indicating that it is a size 56 liner for a size 64 shell. It is also maker marked and dated on the other side:

SCHUBERTH - WERK K.-G.
D.R.P.
1939
BRAUNSCHWEIG

This fits right into the immediate pre-war period,

The attached chin strap features the correct pre war aluminum buckle and attachment studs, which were later replaced with galvanized steel. The leather is still in very good condition, relatively soft and supple, with no major tears we can see, though the finish is worn and cracked. It is faintly maker marked on the end with KARL BÖCKER / 1938 / WALDBRÖL.

Overall a fantastic 100% genuine very early M35 Double Decal Heer Army helmet, still retaining the original paint and some great decals! It looks great, with a fantastic patina! 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.

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.

More than 1 million M1935 helmets were manufactured in the first two years after its introduction, and millions more were produced until 1940 when the basic design and production methods were changed.