Original Item: Only One Available. This is a fantastic all original example Model 1935 German WWII "double decal" helmet with a desirable early Luftwaffe "Droop Tail Snake Leg" Eagle decal on the left side, and a "National Colors" decal on the right. 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, so finding a helmet with both still intact is a real treat!

This stamped sheet steel construction helmet retains 75% of the original correct smooth semi-gloss blue-gray Luftwaffe fliegerblau (flyer's blue) used on early helmets, which would later become textured, and is in very good condition overall. There are some scuffs and scrapes consistent with service wear, as well as a bit of wear through, but there is no major damage. The National Colors decal is retained at about 75%, with checking from age and some wear through. The Luftwaffe decal shows a bit more wear, and has checked over all, with some areas missing, so we would say it is about 60% complete. We have compared it to known "snake leg" examples, and it is a match. Both have had the enamel top coat yellow a little, giving them a great aged look!

The reverse, interior, neck guard apron is serial number stamped 2804 and the interior, left side, apron has the faintly stamped manufacturer's code and size, SE64 indicating that it was manufactured by Sächsische Emaillier und Stanzwerke A.G. of Lauter, Germany. The "SE" is barely visible, but comparing the fonts used for the stampings, we are fairly certain it is an SE helmet. Size 64 is a nice medium size that can accommodate liners from 56cm to 57cm or US 7 to 7 1/8. Size 64 shells are harder to find and are therefore more valuable to a collector. This helmet is named Scholtz at the rear over the lot number.

All three liner split pins are still intact, however they all look to have zinc plated steel heads, which has resulted in the paint flaking off to some degree on all three. The helmet still has its correct M31 liner with all of the 8 fingers present and supple, with the original top tie missing. The leather has matured to a lovely chestnut brown color, and is in very good condition, still supple with minimal tearing. It is even still marked with a size 57 in a circle. 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, however we do not understand the discrepancy with the size markings. The leather may have been mis-stamped, or it was reworked during the war.

The liner is fitted with a correct early pattern chin strap, with an aluminum buckle and two aluminum attachment studs. It does show wear and is definitely a bit degraded, but it is still solid, and maker marked on the long section with: PAUL KLOPFER / WIEN 1939.

Overall a fantastic totally correct 100% genuine double decal Luftwaffe helmet with a "snake leg droop tail" eagle decal, ready to display! We do not get helmets like these very often at all. 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.